(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message of condolences for all those killed and injured in the earthquake that shook southern Taiwan on Saturday.
Rescuers on Sunday pulled more survivors from the remains of a high-rise apartment building but more than 100 people are believed to be still buried in the rubble. Over 170 people have been rescued but at least 26 are known to have died.
Below, please find the text of the message sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of Pope Francis
The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the suffering caused by the deadly earthquake which struck in Tainan, leaving many people dead or seriously injured. He sends prayerful condolences to the families of the deceased and injured, as well as to rescue personnel and the civil authorities. His Holiness, commending the souls of the departed to the tender mercy of God, invokes abundant divine blessings of consolation and strength upon those who mourn and upon all who have been affected by this tragedy.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Do not be afraid but trust in the word of the Lord: that was Pope Francis message to the crowds gathered in a windswept St Peter’s Square on Sunday for the recitation of the Angelus prayer.
Listen to our report :
The Pope based his reflections on the Gospel reading which tells the story of Jesus calling his first disciples by Lake Galilee. After fishing all night without a catch, they are washing their nets when Jesus gets into Simon Peter’s boat so that he can preach to the crowds of people gathered on the shore.
Peter trusts in Jesus’ words
When he has finished speaking, Jesus tells Peter to put out into the deep water and let down the nets for a catch. Peter replies that they have been working hard all night without catching anything, but he trusts in his Master’s words and lets down the nets. His faith is rewarded, the Pope says, as they catch so much fish that their nets begin to break.
You will be fishing for people
Amazed by this extraordinary event, Peter throws himself at Jesus feet saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinner”. Peter, the Pope explained, is aware that Jesus is the Lord and feels a strong sense of being unworthy. But Jesus tells him: “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be fishing for people”. Jesus cannot leave him as a sinner, the Pope said, any more than a doctor can abandon a sick person.
Share God’s love through hospitality and mercy
Peter and the other disciples are reassured by Jesus’ words which are at the heart of his ministry and of the mission of the Church. Pope Francis said going fishing for men and women does not mean to proselitise but to restore dignity and freedom to them through the forgiveness of sins. This is the essence of Christianity, he said, to share the free and regenerative love of God through hospitality and mercy to all.
Mexico, Cuba and Chinese New Year
After reciting the Angelus prayer, the Pope looked ahead to his forthcoming visit to Mexico and to the historic meeting he will have in Cuba with Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Pope also noted that on Monday the Church celebrates a day of prayer against human trafficking and he wished a serene and peaceful New Year to all those who’ll be marking the start of the Chinese new year on Monday.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday made another urgent appeal for peace in Syria, calling on the international community to spare no effort to bring all the parties in conflict to the negotiating table. Speaking to the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square for his Angelus address, the Pope said he is following with great concern the “dramatic fate of the civilian population” caught up the fighting and “forced to abandon everything as they flee from the horrors of war”. He appealed for “generous solidarity” in order to provide for the needs of these refugees and guarantee them a dignified standard of living. At the same time he called on the international community to work urgently for a negotiated solution to the conflict, saying only a political solution can guarantee “a future of reconciliation and peace for that dear and devastated nation”. Pope Francis asked the crowds to pray fervently for peace in Syria, inviting them to join him in reciting the Ave Maria. (from Vatican Radio)…