Pope prays for Church in China, earthquake victims

Vatican City, May 25, 2008 / 09:22 am

After praying the Angelus prayer and imparting his apostolic blessing, the Pope gave a special greeting to pilgrims from China, recalling yesterday's World Day of Prayer for China and the victims of the country’s recent earthquake.

"I greet with great affection the Chinese-speaking pilgrims who are gathered in Rome from across Italy on the occasion of World Day of Prayer for the Church in China,” the Holy Father said.

He also prayed for the victims of the earthquake which rocked China’s Sichuan province two weeks ago. “I entrust to God’s merciful love your fellow citizens and all those who in these days have died as a result of the earthquake, which struck a wide area of your country. I renew my personal closeness to those who are experiencing anguish and tribulation. Thanks to the fraternal solidarity of all, the people of those areas can soon return to normalcy of everyday life,” the Pope said. 

“Together with you I ask Mary, Help of Christians, Our Lady of Sheshan, to support "the commitment of those in China, who in their daily labors, continue to believe, to hope, to love, and so never fear to talk about Jesus to world and the world to Jesus,” while remaining “always credible witnesses" of his love and "remaining united to the rock of Peter on which is built the Church," Benedict concluded.