The Head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI donated US$50,000 dollars to the Government of Tonga to assist the needy following the destruction of Tonga's November 16 riot.

Bishop Soane Lilo Foliaki presented the Tongan Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele on February 26, with the US$50,000 cheque from Pope Benedict XVI and a cheque for $50,000 pa'anga from the Catholic Diocese of Tonga and Niue.

Lopeti Senituli from the Prime Minister's Office said that the two cheques, were accompanied with a note from the Pacific Apostolic Nuncio stating that the donation "is to help those that are in greatest need of assistance as a consequence of the November 16 riot last year". Lopeti said that government was also given the discretion to decide on the "greatest need".

Vicar General Sione Laina said today that the Pope had assented to the donation "for the sole purpose of helping the people of Tonga who are in the greatest need of assistance, and we should in return be faithful and respect what the donor wishes the money to be used for.

"This donation that is graciously made by the Pope is a sign of his love and solidarity for the people of Tonga in this time of difficulty ", said the Vicar General.