Asia-Pacific News
Pope prays for Chinese earthquake victims
By DPA
May 14, 2008, 10:43 GMT

Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday urged the faithful to join him in 'fervid prayer' for the victims of the earthquake in China.

'I am spiritually close to the people who have suffered from such a serious calamity,' Benedict said during his traditional mid-week general audience.

'Let the Lord support those involved in the rescue operations,' Benedict said,

The earthquake which struck China's Sichuan Province on Monday is estimated to have killed at least 12,000 people and destroyed half a million houses.