POPE APPEALS FOR VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 9, 2005 (VIS) - At midday today, before praying the Angelus, Benedict XVI recalled the figure of Cardinal Clemens August von Galen, who was beatified this morning in the Vatican Basilica. He also asked the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square to continue to pray "for the Synod, that it may yield the desired fruits."

  The Pope went on: "In particular in this month of October, when all ecclesial communities are called to renew their missionary commitment, I invite you to go back to what John Paul II wrote in ... his Apostolic Letter 'Mane nobiscum Domine,' about the Eucharist being 'principle and plan of mission': 'The encounter with Christ, constantly intensified and deepened in the Eucharist, issues in the Church and in every Christian an urgent summons to testimony and evangelization'."

  After the Angelus, the Holy Father commended "to God's loving mercy," the thousands of victims of the earthquake in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, expressing his "deepest sympathy" to the injured and bereaved. "I pray that the international community will be swift and generous in its response to the disaster and I ask the Lord to grant courage and strength to those involved in the task of rescue work and reconstruction."

  Benedict XVI also recalled "the dear nations of Central America and Mexico - especially El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua - suffering the effects of torrential rains and flooding, which have caused numerous victims and great material damage. I pray to the Lord for the eternal repose of the deceased and express my spiritual closeness and affection to those who have been deprived of their homes and of the instruments of their trade. I also call upon institutions and upon people of good will to give effective help in a spirit of true fraternal solidarity."

  Finally, the Pope greeted Italian teachers of Catholic religion who are currently holding their first national meeting. "Your commitment in schools represents a precious contribution to the formation of the new generations, and to their development in the knowledge of Catholic culture and tradition, in the awareness of personal responsibilities and in adherence to the values of civil coexistence."
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