Vatican celebrates special Mass for tsunami victims

Vatican City – The Vatican celebrated a special mass on January 24 at St. Peter’s Basilica in memory of the victims of last month's tsunami in Southeast Asia. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State, presided over the Eucharistic celebration.

All the faithful attended, in particular the priests, religious, and faithful from the countries afflicted by the devastating cataclysm, affirmed a Vatican statement.

It is reported that more than 2,00,000 people died as a consequence of the earthquake and tidal wave in the Indian Ocean. The figure of the displaced is around 5 million.

As soon as the Pope John Paul II heard the news of the December 26 catastrophe, he recollected himself in prayer and mobilized the solidarity of Catholics worldwide. He has closely followed the events ever since, keeping in touch with the apostolic nuncios in the affected countries.

The Pope has sent emergency aid to Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Somalia through the Pontifical Council "COR UNUM."

The Holy See called a meeting in Rome at the end of January of the Apostleship of the Sea to help fishermen, who are among the most affected by the disaster, as they have lost their homes and means of livelihood.