"Deep sorrow, shared with the families of the victims", and "prayers for the dead": as soon as Benedict XVI learnt about the news of the air crash happened yesterday at 6:45 pm (local time), at the Airport of Congonhas (São Paulo), in which 200 people died, he sent a telegram of condolence to the archbishop of São Paulo, Odilo Pedro Scherer, through Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State. "The Holy Father it is written in the text, – speechless in front of the really high number of victims in the air crash happening in the city of São Paulo, where he had recently paid a visit, wishes to express his deep sorrow to the families of the victims, assuring them his prayers for the deceased. His Holiness invokes the power and the solace of God for the wounded and for all the people hit by the tragedy. As a sign of spiritual sympathy, he concedes everybody the consoling apostolic benediction".
