Vatican City, Feb 7, 2018 / 05:24 am
After a massive earthquake and a string of aftershocks in Taiwan killed at least seven and injured hundreds more, Pope Francis Wednesday sent a telegram assuring of his prayer for the victims and those engaged in rescue efforts.
Signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and addressed to Bishop Philip Huang Chao-ming of Hwalien, the Feb. 7 telegram expressed the Pope's solidarity "with all those affected by the earthquakes in Taiwan these past days."
Francis, the telegram said, "offers the assurance of his prayers for those who have lost their lives and for those who have been injured."
"As he encourages the civil authorities and emergency personnel engaged in rescue efforts, His Holiness willingly invokes upon all the Taiwanese people the divine blessings of strength and peace."