VATICAN CITY, APR 26, 2006 (VIS) - Following today's general audience, the Pope recalled the explosion 20 years ago - on April 26, 1986 - of the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power station in Ukraine, considered the worst industrial and environmental accident in history.
The Chernobyl explosion produced radioactive rain detectable in the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Great Britain, and even the eastern United States. The radioactive fallout provoked irreparable damage to the environment, cancers, mutations, genetic deformation and a large number of deaths.
"I feel the need," said the Holy Father, "to express my great appreciation for the families, associations, civil authorities and Christian communities who, over these years, have striven to house and care for the people, especially the children, struck by the consequences of that painful event.
"As once again we pray for the victims of so immense a tragedy and for those who carry the signs on their bodies, we call on the Lord to enlighten the people responsible for the fate of humanity that they, through joint efforts, put all their energies at the service of peace, while respecting the needs of mankind and of nature."
AG/CHERNOBYL/... VIS 20060426 (200)
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