People participate in a funeral procession of president Ebrahim Raisi and his seven aides in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan province, on May 21, 2024. / Credit: Photo by AZIN HAGHIGHI/MOJ News Agency/AFP via Getty Images
CNA Staff, May 21, 2024 / 11:5… […]
Pope Francis at his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 17, 2023. / Vatican Media
Rome Newsroom, May 18, 2023 / 07:00 am (CNA).
Pope Francis offered his condolences Thursday after at least nine people died in devastating floods in northeastern Italy.
The pope sent a condolence telegram to Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, the archbishop of Bologna, on May 18 after intense rainfall across the Italian region of Emilia Romagna caused severe flooding and landslides.
Thousands have been evacuated from the worst-hit areas, which include Ravenna, a city famous for its Catholic churches’ sixth-century Byzantine mosaics.
Images from the towns of Faenza and Cesena show cars almost entirely submerged in muddy water. Rescue workers used helicopters and dinghies to help people escape from flooded buildings.
According to local officials, some parts of the region received nearly 20 inches of rain in 36 hours. The heavy rains caused 23 rivers across the region to burst their banks and 120 landslides.
Situazione drammatica in #EmiliaRomagna. Pesante alluvione.
Sarà allerta rossa anche domani. Nel frattempo le immagini che arrivano dalla Romagna fanno paura.
In questo video il salvataggio di una mamma con la sua bimba di tre anni a Cesena.#16maggio | #AllertaMeteoER pic.twitter.com/d9GKeRhxki
— Giovanni Cristiano (@Jo_Reporter) May 16, 2023
Catholic bishops in Emilia-Romagna have called for the region to remain united in the face of the emergency and committed to doing everything necessary to collaborate with relief efforts to aid those in need. Zuppi has asked for priests to notify Caritas of emergency situations that need to be addressed.
The telegram sent on the pope’s behalf by Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Substitute (Sostituto) of the Vatican Secretariat of State, said: “While assuring fervent prayers of repose for the deceased and expressing condolences to their families, the Supreme Pontiff invokes from God comfort for the wounded and consolation for those suffering consequences from the grave calamity.”
“Pope Francis thanks all those who in these hours of particular difficulty are working to bring relief and alleviate all suffering, as well as the diocesan communities for their expressions of communion and fraternal closeness to the most afflicted populations. The Supreme Pontiff sends apostolic blessing to all as a sign of his spiritual closeness.”
Pope Francis prayed for peace in his Angelus address following Mass in L’Aquila, Italy. / Pope Francis prayed for peace in his Angelus address following Mass in L’Aquila, Italy.
Vatican City, Jan 16, 2023 / 07:55 am (CNA).
Pope Francis offered his condolences after at least 69 people died in a plane crash in Nepal on Sunday.
The pope sent a condolence telegram to Nepal’s President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Jan. 16 after Yeti Airlines flight 691 crashed as it was attempting to land in the Nepalese city of Pokhara.
The plane was carrying 72 passengers from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a popular base for trekkers in the Annapurna mountain range in the Himalayas.
Fifteen foreign nationals were on board, coming from India, Russia, South Korea, Argentina, France, Ireland, and Australia. At least 69 of the passengers have been confirmed dead, according to The Associated Press.
The telegram sent on the pope’s behalf by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said: “Saddened by the crash of the Yeti Airlines aircraft near Pokhara, His Holiness Pope Francis sends his condolences to you and to all affected by this tragedy, together with his prayers for those involved in the recovery efforts.”
“Commending the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty, His Holiness invokes upon those who mourn their loss the divine blessings of healing and peace.”
Pope Francis receives Cardinal George Pell in a private audience at the Vatican Oct. 12, 2020. / Vatican Media.
Rome Newsroom, Jan 11, 2023 / 05:32 am (CNA).
Pope Francis has praised the witness, dedication, and faith of Cardinal George Pell, w… […]
Queen Elizabeth greets Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2014. / Vatican Media
St. Louis, Mo., Sep 8, 2022 / 13:58 pm (CNA).
Pope Francis in a telegram late Thursday offered his condolences and prayers upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain… […]
Vatican City, Apr 10, 2021 / 05:30 am America/Denver (CNA). Pope Francis on Saturday expressed his sorrow at the death of Prince Philip in a letter to Queen Elizabeth II, his wife of 73 years. […]
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