Benedict XVI sent though the Secretary of State, card. Tarcisio Bertone to the metropolitan bishop of Katowice, mgr. Damian Zimon, a telegram of condolence for the victims of the catastrophe that took place yesterday afternoon in the mine of Halema at Ruda Slaska (Poland). "Benedict XVI reads the text sent yesterday and published today by the Newsroom of the Holy See – learnt with grief of the catastrophe, which took place in the coal mine of Halemba, in which eight miners died and another fifteen have been reported missing (later on specifies a note in the text published by the Newsroom a newscast announced that the people who had been reported missing unfortunately turned out to have died also, in the catastrophe). The Holy Father entrusts the souls of the dead to God’s mercy, asking Him to welcome the offering of their fatigue and their lives, and to let them into His glory. He commends to divine protection those who hopefully are safe. With a friendly prayer, he embraces the families of the dead and all those people who mourn their sudden demise. He gives them the apostolic blessing that he also extends to the whole archdiocese of Katowice".
