Pope sends envoy to tsunami region, prays for relief efforts

Published: 2005-01-31

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has sent an envoy to the tsunami-stricken areas of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, offering his personal sympathy to the victims and praying that those involved in relief efforts would be filled with wisdom and strength. "I pray that the solidarity shown by our brothers and sisters throughout the world will prove a source of encouragement, hope and perseverance to everyone in the great work of rebuilding that lies ahead," the pope said in a message sent with his envoy. Archbishop Paul Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," the Vatican's charity promotion and coordinating office, left Rome Jan. 29 for Indonesia. He was to visit Aceh, the hardest-struck province, and celebrate a memorial Mass there for the victims. The archbishop was to fly to Sri Lanka for a Feb. 2-4 visit.

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