Pope Fracis on Friday expressed deep pain for the lives lost and the widespread devastation caused by a powerful earthquake that rocked Myanmar and Thailand in a telegram sent to civil and religious authorities from the two countries delivered on the pontiff's behalf by Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
"Deeply concerned for the loss of lives and widespread devastation caused by the earthquake in South-East Asia, in particular in Myanmar and Thailand", the pontiff offered his prayers for the victims and "the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those affected by this tragedy", said the telegram.
The pope "prays so that emergency personnel will be supported in the care of the wounded and the displaced", it added.