Pope Leo yesterday prayed for victims of two deadly cyclones in Madagascar and their families and asked that the upcoming Lunar New Year opens a future of peace and bridge-building. Source: Crux.
Speaking to a large crowd gathered in St Peter’s Square, the Pope in his Angelus address voiced his closeness to the people of Madagascar, “hit in a short time from one another by two cyclones, with floods and landslides”.
“I pray for the victims and their families, and for those who have experienced extensive damage,” he said.
His appeal came after Cyclone Gezani tore through Madagascar over the weekend, killing at least 41 people, injuring nearly 430 others, and displacing some 16,300, with massive damage to infrastructure.
Some 13,000 people have been left without power after the storm downed power lines.
The cyclone came as Madagascar was barely recovering from severe flooding from a previous storm that affected more than 700,000 people and damaged more than 170,000 homes, prompting the government to declare a national emergency.
Pope Leo also noted that the Lunar New Year will be observed on Tuesday, and prayed that “this joyful celebration encourages people to live with greater intensity familial relationships and friendships”.
“May it bring serenity to homes and cities and may it be an occasion to look to the future, building peace and prosperity for all peoples,” he said, offering his congratulations and his blessing.
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Pope Leo prays for Madagascar, observes Lunar New Year (By Elise Ann Allen, Crux)
