The events of yesterday have left all of us here in this Pontifical Council deeply saddened and distressed. We wish to assure you of our prayers for the victims of this disaster and their families as well as for the priests, chaplains of airports, police and fire departments, religious and lay faithful who are expressing in word and deed the pastoral solidarity of the Church with them. Today at noon we will celebrate holy mass for these intentions invoking also the wisdom of the Holy Spirit on the national leaders who will decide the next steps.

At this point our faith in Jesus Christ is the one certainty, consolation and strength we have. United with Him, I wish to assure Your Excellency, the bishops and lay faithful of the United States the solidarity and prayerful remembrance of our Council.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Archbishop Stephen Fumio Hamao
Archbishop-Bishop Emeritus of Yokohama
President

Father Michael A. Blume, SVD
Undersecretary