Vatican City, Nov 9, 2011 / 14:05 pm
After praying the Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Nov. 9, Pope Benedict called on Catholics to pray for and assist flood victims in Central America and Southeast Asia.
“I wish to express my closeness to all those who suffer from these natural disasters,” the Pope said.
Over 500 people have been killed in Thailand from flooding or electrocution as monsoon waters swamp 63 of the country's 77 provinces. Many citizens fear a shortage of food and supplies as the disaster continues.
Central America has also been devastated by floods, particularly the tiny country of El Salvador, which has been hit with its most damaging natural disaster in decades. Flooding has effected 10 percent of the country and forced more than 50,000 people out of their homes.
The recent disasters “have caused many deaths and left many missing and homeless,” the Pope lamented.
He asked the faithful for “prayer for the victims and their families as well as solidarity, so that the institutions and people of good will work together with a generous spirit, to assist the thousands of people tried by such disasters.”
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