The Pope visited the region devastated by the recent earthquake and still experiencing the tribulations of rain and cold.Cindy Wooden of CNS translated Benedict's prayer for the victims and the survivors:

We entrust our loved ones to you, Lord,Knowing that you never take the lives of your faithful, but transform them,And that at the moment the dwelling places of this our earthly exile are destroyed,You prepare an eternal and immortal one for us in paradise.Holy Father, Lord of heaven and earth,Hear the cry of pain and of hopeThat rises from this community harshly tied by the earthquake.It is the silent cry of the blood of mothers, fathers, young peopleAnd also innocent little ones that rises up from this land.They have been snatched from the affection of their loved ones,Welcome them all into your peace, Lord, who is God-with-us,Who is the Love able to give life without end.We need you and your strengthBecause we feel small and fragile in the face of death;Help us, we pray, because only your supportCan help us get up and, with trust, take each others hands,And start out again on the journey of life.We ask you this through Jesus Christ, our savior,In whom shines the hope of the blessed resurrection. Amen.