Vatican City, Jan 29, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Following his weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his prayers and condolences for a number of Poles who were killed or injured when a convention center roof collapsed under the weight of heavy snow killing at least 67 people on Friday.
Addressing a special greeting to Polish pilgrims present at St. Peter‘s Square, the Holy Father recalled the tragic accident which took place in the city of Katowice.
The city’s International Convention center was hosting an exhibition on homing pigeons at the time. Some 500 people were in attendance and at least 160 were injured.
The Pope said on Sunday that he entrusts “the deceased to God's mercy, uniting myself in spirit to their relatives and to those injured in the accident.”
“To all”, he said, “I impart a heartfelt blessing."