Pope offers prayers for victims of last year's tsunami

Pope Benedict XVI today offered his prayers for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, saying those struck by natural disasters throughout the world were still waiting for effective solidarity.

Speaking at his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square, Benedict said he joined in the “memory that in these days unites the dear peoples struck a year ago by the tsunami”.

The Pontiff prayed “for them and for those who, also in other regions of the world, have suffered natural disasters, and are still waiting for our concrete and effective solidarity.”

The earthquake-generated tsunami crashed into coastal communities in 12 nations on December 26, 2004, leaving at least 216,000 people dead or missing.