Pope assures victims of Taiwan quake of solidarity and closeness

Following the 7.4 magnitude quake that hit Hualien City, Taiwan, on Wednesday, Pope Francis sends a telegram of condolences to the president of the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference of Taiwan.

Pope Francis “was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and damage caused by the earthquake in Taiwan, reads a telegram from Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Bishop John Baptist Lee Keh-Mean, the president of the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference of Taiwan.

At least nine people died when the 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday, and more than 1000 people were injured. According to the BBC, rescuers are working to reach more than 600 stranded people, while dozens of people are still reported missing.

Cardinal Parolin’s telegram assures those “affected by this disaster” of the Pope’s heartfelt solidarity and spiritual closeness.” Pope Francis, it continues, “likewise prays for the dead, the injured, and all those displaced, as well as for the emergency personnel engaged in recovery efforts.”

The telegram concludes by noting the Holy Father’s invocation “upon all [of] the divine blessings of consolation and strength.”

Christopher Wells
Source: vaticannews.va/en