TELEGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF TYPHOONS IN PHILLIPINES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 15, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II sent a telegram, through Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, to Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, archbishop of Manilla, Phillipines, to express his closeness to the victims of the typhoons that have hit the islands.

"Deeply concerned," says the text, "by news of death and damage caused by typhoons and bad weather in the Phillipines, especially Manilla and Luzon, the Holy Father is close to you in prayer, commending the victims to Almighty God and invoking divine strength and comfort upon their grieving families all affected by this tragedy. He joins you in appealing for a great surge of solidarity at this difficult time for the nation."

TGR;TYPHOON PHILLIPINES;...;SODANO; SIN;VIS;20020715;Word: 130;