A note released by the Holy See Press Office adds that, in a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, the Supreme Pontiff expressed his “saddened by the loss of life and the widespread devastation” caused by the earthquake.

The Bishop of Rome offered his “heartfelt prayers for the souls of the deceased and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those affected by this tragedy,” and expressed his faith in the role that emergency personnel will play in facing this calamity “with strength and perseverance.”

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar today, with its epicenter 16 kilometers northwest of the city of Sagaing. It was followed minutes later by an aftershock measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, causing more than 140 deaths and injuries to some 700 people, as well as considerable property damage.

This tremor also affected neighboring Thailand, where some 40 people are missing after an office building collapsed. A state of emergency was declared due to the serious damage caused by the disaster.

ef/lam/ort