The pope expressed his spiritual closeness to all those tried by the calamity and called for God’s help for those involved in the relief efforts.

“I invite you to join me in fervent prayer for all those who have lost their lives,” Benedict told thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “I am spiritually close to those tried by such a devastating calamity: For them we implore God for comfort in suffering,” he said. “May the Lord grant support to all those who are involved in the immediate relief needs.”

Monday’s quake killed thousands of people, with the death toll still climbing as rescue workers dig through the rubble. It devastated parts of central China’s Sichuan province.

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