Pope Leo XIV Expresses Sympathy for Nepal Flood Victims
Pope Leo XIV expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of life and widespread devastation caused by flash floods in Nepal. In a telegram sent on Thursday and signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope…
Pope Leo XIV expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of life and widespread devastation caused by flash floods in Nepal. In a telegram sent on Thursday and signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope commended the souls of those who died “to the clemency of the Almighty” and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved.
He assured all those affected by the disaster of his spiritual closeness and prayed for the emergency personnel engaged in the ongoing search-and-rescue operations. The telegram concluded with the Pope's prayers for God’s assistance and protection upon the people of Nepal.
Over 350 people died in Nepal, while more than 900 remained unaccounted for after a devastating torrent of water, mud, and debris swept through communities near the country’s northern border with China. Unfortunately, the death toll is expected to rise as bodies are recovered from under the debris. Hundreds more are missing in neighboring Tibet, bringing the total number of people unaccounted for across the affected region to almost 1,500. The disaster is believed to have been triggered by the collapse of part of a Himalayan glacier, which sent a sudden surge into a river system along the Nepal-China border.
Thousands of soldiers, police officers, and emergency workers have been deployed across the affected areas. Helicopters are being used to reach isolated communities, evacuate survivors, and deliver food, medical supplies, and other forms of emergency assistance. Operations are complicated by damaged roads, difficult mountainous terrain, and the continuing danger of landslides and further flooding.
