Pope Francis expressed
his closeness to Mexico on Wednesday after over 200 people were
killed by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the centre of the
country.
"Here among you there are many Mexicans," the pope said
during his weekly audience in St Peter's Square.
"The earthquake has caused casualties and material damage and
in this moment of pain I express my closeness to the whole
Mexican population.
"I ask Almighty God to welcome all those who lost their
lives".
The pope also paid homage to the rescue workers helping those
affected by the disaster and invoked the Our Lady of Guadalupe,
who is dear to the Mexican nation.
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has said more than 20
children were dead and 30 were missing after a school collapsed.
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