Wednesday, September 12, 2001

POPE EXPRESSES "SHOCK" AT "INHUMAN TERRORIST ATTACKS" ON U.S.


VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent yesterday afternoon by Pope John Paul to U.S. President George W. Bush, following terrorist attacks earlier in the morning in Washington, D.C. and New York City, causing an untold number of victims and incalculable damage:

"Shocked by the unspeakable horror of today's inhuman terrorist attacks against innocent people in different parts of the United States I hurry to express to you and your fellow citizens my profound sorrow and my closeness in prayer for the nation at this dark and tragic moment. Commending the victims to Almighty God's eternal mercy, I implore His strength upon all involved in rescue efforts and in caring for the survivors. I beg God to sustain you and the American people in this hour of suffering and trial."

Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls also released a statement yesterday regarding the news of the tragedy which occurred in the United States:

"The Holy Father has been constantly informed of the events related to this enormous tragedy. From the very first moment He prayed to God to give eternal repose to the souls of the many, many victims and courage and comfort to their families.

"The Holy Father wished immediately to send a message to the president of the United States to express his closeness and that of the entire Church to him and to the American people in this moment of suffering and trial.

"The Holy Father expresses great condemnation for this violence which only destroys."

TGR;TERRORISM; US;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010912;Word: 270;

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