Vatican City, Nov 7, 2007 / 08:59 am
In his address to the Portuguese pilgrims in today's general audience, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his sadness over a recent traffic accident in Portugal which claimed the lives of 13 people and injured 24.
"May the strong arm of the heavenly Father," he said speaking Portuguese, "protect and console everyone. To the families affected by this tragedy and to those working to alleviate its consequences, I give assurances of my particular solidarity and prayers."
The accident, which took place in western Portugal on Monday, involved a head-on collision between a car and a bus of elderly passengers who were returning to Castelo Branco from a visit to the Shrine of Fatima.