VATICAN CITY, MAY 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is asking the Church to join him in praying for those affected by Monday's earthquake in China.
After his address at today's general audience, the Pope launched an appeal for "the people of Sichuan and adjoining provinces in China, so harshly affected by the earthquake that has provoked serious loss of human life, left large numbers missing and caused incalculable damages."
"I invite you to join me in fervent prayer for those who have lost their lives," the Holy Father added. "I remain spiritually close to the people suffering from such a devastating calamity; and we implore God to grant them relief in their suffering."
The Pope concluded his appeal by asking the Lord "to give support to all those involved in meeting the immediate needs" of the victims.
The death toll from Monday's 7.9 quake is already above 15,000, but rescuers at the epicenter are still fighting their way through rubble. Some 26,000 people are thought to be buried in the debris.
