From the confines of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where the Holy Father is on the path to recovery, Pope Francis extends his heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the tragic floods that have ravaged the Argentinian port city of Bahía Blanca. He offers prayers for comfort and solace to those in distress.
Pope Francis expresses deep concern for the devastating flood that has impacted Bahía Blanca, located 650 km away from Buenos Aires. The city experienced a deluge of rain equivalent to a year’s worth in just a few hours.
Despite his own recovery at Gemelli Hospital, the Pope sent a heartfelt message to Archbishop Carlos Alfonso Azpiroz Costa of Bahía Blanca, acknowledging the tragedy that befell the city and its residents. The local authorities are tirelessly working on rescue operations amidst extreme flooding.
Tragically, at least 16 lives were lost, with three individuals still missing, including two young sisters aged 1 and 5 swept away by the raging waters.
‘My spiritual closeness to the whole population’
Pope Francis conveys his sadness towards the natural disaster in Bahía Blanca, offering prayers for the departed souls and seeking divine comfort for the grieving families. He extends his spiritual support to the entire population, urging the Lord to provide solace during this time of anguish and uncertainty.
He also prays for strength for the rescue teams and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas, beseeching the grace of God to guide them through this challenging period.
May Mary help catastrophe-struck people
In his concluding remarks, Pope Francis invokes the intercession of Our Lady of Mercy for all those impacted by the catastrophe, bestowing his Apostolic Blessing upon them with affection.
Earlier on Monday, the Holy See Press Office informed the Pope about the flood crisis in Argentina, prompting his immediate expression of solidarity and prayers for the affected individuals.
Three days of mourning
The search and rescue operations continue in Bahía Blanca, with a combined effort from firefighters, civil protection units, police, and the military. The ongoing emergency has disrupted essential services, making it challenging to assess the full extent of the damage.
President of Argentina, Javier Milei, has declared three days of national mourning in light of the tragic events.
