Pope asks world to come to aid of quake victims in Peru

Published: 2007-08-16

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI called on the world community to come to the aid of those affected by a deadly earthquake that struck the coast of Peru. In a telegram sent to bishops of the dioceses affected by the magnitude 7.9 temblor, the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said the pope was deeply saddened upon hearing the news of the quake, which hit Aug. 15 and left more than 300 people dead and more than 1,300 injured. The hardest-hit areas were south of Lima. The Vatican released a copy of the telegram Aug. 16. The pope offered his prayers and condolences for all those affected by the quake and urged "institutions and people of good will to offer the needed aid to victims out of charity and a spirit of Christian solidarity."

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