Pope Francis has expressed his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by the disaster.
His Holiness sent his condolence after hearing of the recent earthquake in Southern Highlands Province.
“He prays especially for the eternal repose of the deceased and for the healing of those injured,” relays the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Pope Francis “offers encouragement to the civil authorities and emergency personnel as they assist the victims of this tragedy”.
“He willingly invokes upon all of them the divine blessings of consolation and strength,” says Cardinal Parolin.
To the message of Pope Francis, Archbishop Kurian M Vayalunkal, a Vatican diplomat and the current Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, says: “I add my deepest solidarity and prayers for the victims and all the people affected by this calamity.”
(Picture: CNN.com)