Pope says he has prayed for hope for homeless and wounded in Missouri tornado - The Washington Post

Pope says he has prayed for hope for homeless and wounded in Missouri tornado - The Washington Post

The Pope can take time out to address and pray for those involved in America's tornado disasters....however our President is too busy making a full out of himself in Ireland and England! -Michael J. Maxim

By Associated Press,

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday assured survivors of the deadliest tornado in the United States since 1950 that he was close to them spiritually and praying for hope and strength for the homeless.

“The Holy Father has followed with deep concern the aftermath of the catastrophic tornado which struck Joplin on Sunday,” read a text of a telegram of solidarity sent to the local bishop in Missouri and made public by the Vatican.

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( Pier Paolo Cito / Associated Press ) - Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges the crowd during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 25, 2011.

In the telegram, Benedict asks Springfield-Cape Giradeau Bishop James Johnston to “convey to the entire community the assurance of his closeness in prayer, conscious of the tragic loss of life and the immensity of the work of rebuilding that lies head.”

At least 122 people were killed and some 750 wounded by the deadliest single twister since 1950, when the U.S. National Weather Service started keeping official records. Some 80,000 buildings were destroyed. Joplin has a population of some 50,000.

Benedict said he was asking God to grant “eternal rest to the departed, consolation to the grieving and strength and hope to the homeless and the injured.”

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.