Pope prays for victims of natural disasters in Slovenia, Georgia
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Francis has expressed his closeness to people suffering from catastrophic nautral disasters in Slovenia and Georgia.
During his remarks to Italian-speaking pilgrims at his Wednesday General Audience, the Pope recalled that, in recent days, "dramatic natural phenomena have occurred in Slovenia and Georgia, causing death and material destruction." He said he is praying for victims:
The Pope thanked those who offered them assistance, especially the volunteers.
Over the weekend, Slovenia was struck by record-breaking rainfall. The flooding, which has affected two-thirds of the small European nation, reportedly killed at least six people and left hundreds homeless.
In Georgia, last Thursday, a massive landslide hit a resort area in the country's Shovi mountains, about 140 kilometers northwest of Tbilisi, and killed at least 19 people.
Entrusting Ukrainians to Edith Stein
The Pope also turned his attention to Ukraine and the ongoing suffering in the war-torn country.
Recalling that on Wednesday, 9 August, the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (St. Edith Stein), martyr and co-patroness of Europe, the Holy Father prayed that "her witness might stimulate commitment to dialogue and fraternity among peoples and against all forms of violence and discrimination."
He entrusted "the dear Ukrainian people" to her intercession:
The Holy Father concluded by imparting upon all of them his blessing.
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