In a telegram sent by the Pope to Japan's bishops, Benedict XVI said he was "deeply saddened" by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated parts of Japan on Friday, with a death toll expected to be close to a 1,000 people.
The telegram read that the pope was "deeply saddened by the brutal and tragic consequences of the severe earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern coastal regions" of Japan.
Benedict assured all those who were affected by the disaster that he was "close (to them) in these difficult moments".