A papal message was sent in a telegram to the civil authorities and relatives of the victims.
“Deeply saddened by the news of the great loss of life caused by the typhoon that struck South Korea, the Holy Father prays for the victims and their families,” the telegram says. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano sent the text at the request of the Pope, who was on his visit to Slovakia.
In the message, the Holy Father asks Archbishop Andreas Choi Chang-mou of Kwangju to “convey the assurance of his solidarity to the civil authorities and all those involved in the task of relief and reconstruction.”
Typhoon Maemi, the worst to hit the country in at least a century, has caused at least 84 deaths; 25 people are missing, rescue services reported. They fear that the final death count will be even higher.
