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| Pope urges quake area 'rebirth' | Pope urges quake area 'rebirth' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in central Italy to visit survivors of the earthquake that struck on 6 April. | Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in central Italy to visit survivors of the earthquake that struck on 6 April. |
| The head of the Catholic Church arrived in the village of Onna outside L'Aquila, where 40 people died and all the buildings are now uninhabitable. | The head of the Catholic Church arrived in the village of Onna outside L'Aquila, where 40 people died and all the buildings are now uninhabitable. |
| He expressed condolences for the victims of the quake, but said the village and region could be "reborn". | He expressed condolences for the victims of the quake, but said the village and region could be "reborn". |
| He will go on to see other areas hit by the disaster and say prayers for the total of nearly 300 people who died. | He will go on to see other areas hit by the disaster and say prayers for the total of nearly 300 people who died. |
| Some 65,000 people are still homeless. Around 36,000 are living in tents while others are being put up in hotels. | Some 65,000 people are still homeless. Around 36,000 are living in tents while others are being put up in hotels. |
| 'Expressing my closeness' | 'Expressing my closeness' |
| On arriving in Onna, the Pope greeted local residents, kissing one baby held by its mother. | On arriving in Onna, the Pope greeted local residents, kissing one baby held by its mother. |
| In some brief remarks, he said the Church was sharing their pain, adding: "I would like to hug you affectionately one by one. | |
| "I encourage everyone, institutions and businesses, to see that this village and this region are reborn," he said, against a backdrop of a tent camp housing survivors. | "I encourage everyone, institutions and businesses, to see that this village and this region are reborn," he said, against a backdrop of a tent camp housing survivors. |
| "I have come in person to your splendid but devastated land, which is suffering times of great pain and vulnerability, to express my closeness to you in the most direct way possible," the pope said, according to AFP news agency. | "I have come in person to your splendid but devastated land, which is suffering times of great pain and vulnerability, to express my closeness to you in the most direct way possible," the pope said, according to AFP news agency. |
| He then set off for L'Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region, stopping on the way at the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, one of the area's most famous churches which was badly damaged during the quake. | He then set off for L'Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region, stopping on the way at the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, one of the area's most famous churches which was badly damaged during the quake. |
| In L'Aquila, the Pope will visit a student residence block where a number of young people lost their lives. | In L'Aquila, the Pope will visit a student residence block where a number of young people lost their lives. |
| He will thank rescue teams and medical staff for their response to the earthquake. | He will thank rescue teams and medical staff for their response to the earthquake. |
| L'Aquila camp three weeks on | L'Aquila camp three weeks on |
| It will be the Pope's first visit to the quake-affected area. | It will be the Pope's first visit to the quake-affected area. |
| He sent out greetings to those "suffering from the earthquake" when he celebrated Easter Mass on St Peter's Square in the Vatican earlier this month. | He sent out greetings to those "suffering from the earthquake" when he celebrated Easter Mass on St Peter's Square in the Vatican earlier this month. |
| He also sent chocolate Easter eggs to victims of the earthquake. | He also sent chocolate Easter eggs to victims of the earthquake. |
| The authorities have said it could be weeks, if not months, before it is known which of the houses left standing are safe enough to be repaired and which will have to be demolished. | The authorities have said it could be weeks, if not months, before it is known which of the houses left standing are safe enough to be repaired and which will have to be demolished. |
| Do you live in the affected area? Are you looking forward to the Pope's visit? Send us your comments using the form below: | Do you live in the affected area? Are you looking forward to the Pope's visit? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |