Benedict
XVI "prayerfully participates in the pain of the bereaved
families and, in the sadness of all the Lebanese people" following the "terrible attack"
in Beirut yesterday, that killed 8 people and injured dozens. In a telegram sent to Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, the pope "entrusts the victims to God, full of mercy, asking God to welcome them in His light".
He expresses "deepest sympathy to the injured and their families, asking the Lord to give them aid and comfort in their ordeal."
Benedict XVI visited Lebanon almost a month ago, holding it up as a model of coexistence between Muslims and Christians for the Middle East and entire world.
The telegram signed by Card. Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, affirms:" As he did during his Apostolic Journey to Lebanon, the Holy Father once again condemns the violence that generates so much suffering and asks God to grant the gift of peace and reconciliation to Lebanon and the entire region. With all his heart, His Holiness invokes abundance of divine blessings upon the bereaved families and all Lebanese! ".