Pope Visits Devastated Earthquake Zone

By RACHEL DONADIO
April 28, 2009

L’AQUILA, Italy — Nearly three weeks after a devastating earthquake killed almost 300 people and left 65,000 homeless in this mountainous region of central Italy, Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday visited the area, delivering a message of hope to survivors.

His first stop was Onna, a farming village several miles outside l’Aquila where 40 of about 300 residents died. As a light rain fell, the pope stood inside a tent camp, greeting residents.

“I would like to hug you with affection, one by one,” he said.

The pope said he hoped that his visit would be “a tangible sign” that the lord “is not deaf to the worried cry of so many families who lost everything: houses, savings, work and often even human lives.” the rest

In pictures: Pope visits earthquake region