Pope Francis greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square Wednesday as he prepares to offer prayers to the victims of the Iranian earthquake.
The earthquake struck the border of southeast Iran Tuesday killing at least 35 people in neighboring Pakistan, destroying hundreds of homes and and shaking buildings as far away as India and Gulf Arab states.
(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:
"I learned with sadness about the violent earthquake that hit the people of Iran and Pakistan, bringing death, suffering and destruction. I pray to God for the victims and for all those in pain and I wish to show my closeness to the Iranian and Pakistani people."
Villages in Pakistan seem to have been hit the hardest by the earthquake with Pakistani troops now offering their help in affected areas.
