Pope Benedict XVI was deeply saddened by the massacre at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and prayed for the victims and their families, said the Vatican secretary of state.Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent a telegram to Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of Richmond, Va., expressing the pope's condolences to all those affected by the April 16 shooting that left at least 33 people, including the killer, dead.
Cardinal Bertone said in the wake of the "senseless tragedy" Pope Benedict asked him to assure the victims, their families and the entire school community of his prayers.
Pope Benedict "asks God our Father to console all those who mourn and to grant them that spiritual strength which triumphs over violence," Cardinal Bertone said.
The text of the telegram follows:
The Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo
Bishop of Richmond (USA)
Deeply saddened by news of the shooting at Virginia Tech, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has asked me to convey the assurance of his heartfelt prayers for the victims, their families and for the entire school community.
In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy he asks God our Father to console all those who mourn and to grant them that spiritual strength which triumphs over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Secretary of State
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