Pope offers condolences and prayers for rink victims

Pope Benedict XVI offered his prayers today for the victims of the ice rink collapse in Germany, his native country, and wished a swift recovery for the injured.

Benedict said he was saddened to learn about the "tragic accident" in the Alpine town of Bad Reichenhall, where the roof of a skating rink caved in after heavy snowfall on Monday afternoon, killing at least 13 people. Eight children are among the victims.