L'Aquila, Italy, Apr 14, 2009 / 15:17 pm
In a new gesture of solidarity and closeness to the victims of last week’s earthquake that hit the Italian city of L’Aquila, Pope Benedict XVI sent hundreds of Easter eggs to the children of the region.
Although the Church does not normally celebrate Mass on Good Friday, the Pope granted an exception for the earthquake victims, and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone led a funeral Mass for the dead. He also read a personal letter Pope Benedict sent to the quake survivors.
The Pope’s gift was received by Archbishop Giuseppe Molinari, who expressed “thanks to the Pope for his great closeness during this tragic time. This is also a sign of closeness to our children,” he said.