Pope Expresses Solidarity With Suffering in Myanmar

"With prayers for the victims and their families, he invokes God's peace upon the dead and divine strength and comfort upon the homeless and all who are suffering."

VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Benedict XVI expressed his sympathy for the victims of Cyclone Nargis that pounded Myanmar on Saturday.

In a telegram sent by the Pope's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, to Archbishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng of Mandalay, president of the bishops' conference of Myanmar, the Holy Father expressed his sorrow and promised prayers.

The telegram said: "Deeply saddened by news of the tragic aftermath of the recent cyclone, the Holy Father expresses his heartfelt sympathy. With prayers for the victims and their families, he invokes God's peace upon the dead and divine strength and comfort upon the homeless and all who are suffering.

"Confident that the international community will respond with generous and effective relief to the needs of your countrymen, His Holiness asks you to convey his solidarity and concern to the civil authorities and to all the beloved people of Myanmar."

The death toll rises by the minute in Myanmar, with state radio announcing today that more than 22,000 are confirmed dead and some 41,000 are missing.