Pope Benedict XVI said he was praying for the victims of the earthquake that hit the city of L'Aquila while it slept Monday.
''''I am praying for the victims and in particular for the children,'' said the pope after the 5.8 magnitude quake that killed at least 27 including several children and injured thousands.
Vatican sources said the ''dramatic news'' of the quake ''filled the pope's soul with consternation''.
It said the pope sent a ''special blessing'' to those affected and those involved in a massive rescue effort.
