Pope Benedict sends condolences to Poland
Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his deep sorrow over the plane crash in western Russia that took the lives of the president of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, his wife and more than 95 others who were on the flight with them.
On hearing the news on Saturday, the Holy Father sent a message to the president of the Polish Parliament, Bronislaw Korowski in which he named several other victims of the disaster, including the former president of the Polish Republic in exile, Ryszard Kaczorowski, Bishop Tadeusz Ploski, Orthodox bishop Miron Chodakowski and evangelical military chaplain Adam Pilsch.
"I entrust all the victims of this dramatic incident to the goodness of the merciful God. May he welcome them into his glory," the Pope said in his message.
The Holy Father offered to the families of the victims and all the people of Poland his "sincere condolences, assuring them of my spiritual nearness."
"In this difficult moment I implore for the Polish people a special blessing of almighty God," the message concluded.
On Sunday after praying the Angelus, Benedict XVI also mentioned the tragedy. He said: "In expressing my deepest condolences, from my heart I assure intercessory prayers for the victims and prayers of support for the beloved Polish nation."
Source: VIS
See also: Poland begins week of mourning www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=15947