During the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis shared his prayers for the victims of storms and flooding in central and eastern Europe, offering them his heartfelt closeness.
By Christopher Wells
Pope Francis specifically mentioned the victims of Storm Boris, expressing his solidarity with those who have suffered losses and their grieving families.
Recent heavy rain and snowfall have caused devastation in countries like Austria, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Poland, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 21 individuals.
As a result of the severe weather conditions, thousands have been evacuated from affected areas, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency in Poland. Cities like Wroclaw, Bratislava, and Budapest are bracing themselves for potentially dangerous flooding.
During his address, Pope Francis commended the efforts of local Catholic communities and volunteer organizations for their assistance to those in need.
Looking Ahead
Turning his attention to the upcoming World Alzheimer’s Day on Saturday, September 21st, Pope Francis called for prayers for a potential cure to be discovered soon to alleviate the suffering of those afflicted with the disease.
World Alzheimer’s Day is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and combating the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia that affect over 55 million people worldwide.
Special Greetings
In his greetings to attendees of the General Audience, Pope Francis extended a warm welcome to participants of the Congress of Abbots of the Benedictine Confederation and their newly elected Abbot Primate.
He encouraged them to embody the Benedictine spirit with a spirit of charity and missionary zeal to make a positive impact in the world.
The Pope also sent his best wishes to the Lay Carmelites, urging them to exemplify the teachings of the Gospel by reaching out to the most vulnerable, embodying the essence of a Church that is constantly evolving and expanding its outreach.
