Benedict's Prayers for Blacksburg

Atop the morning news is yesterday's tragedy at Virginia Tech, in which a gunman identified as a student went on a cross-campus shooting spree, killing 32 and wounding near 20 before turning the gun on himself in the deadliest rampage in US history.

Earlier today, the Holy See released the following telegram of condolence, addressed to Bishop Francis DiLorenzo of Richmond.

DEEPLY SADDENED BY NEWS OF THE SHOOTING AT VIRGINIA TECH, HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI HAS ASKED ME TO CONVEY THE ASSURANCE OF HIS HEARTFELT PRAYERS FOR THE VICTIMS, THEIR FAMILIES AND FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. IN THE AFTERMATH OF THIS SENSELESS TRAGEDY HE ASKS GOD OUR FATHER TO CONSOLE ALL THOSE WHO MOURN AND TO GRANT THEM THAT SPIRITUAL STRENGTH WHICH TRIUMPHS OVER VIOLENCE BY THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS, HOPE AND RECONCILING LOVE.

CARDINAL TARCISIO BERTONE
SECRETARY OF STATE.

PHOTO: AP/Casey Templeton

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