05/05/2024 – 11:50
Pope Francis prayed for the population affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul during the Regina Caeli prayer this Sunday, the 5th. Several Brazilians were gathered in São Pedro Square, according to information from the Vatican itself. During the prayer, the pontiff recalled the drama experienced by the population of Rio Grande do Sul. He also spoke out through social media.
“I want to assure my prayers for the populations of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, affected by major floods. May the Lord welcome the dead and comfort their families and those who had to leave their homes.”
The president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), Dom Jaime Spengler, archbishop of Porto Alegre, also spoke to Vatican News. He describes the situation as still considered chaotic.
“We have several villages, neighborhoods completely underwater. The city of Eldorado do Sul is practically entirely underwater. In Canoas, the night before, we had to evacuate more than 50 thousand people. The Army, Civil Defense, people from our communities, people from outside the State, in short, there are a lot of people collaborating. There are still many people on the roofs of houses, even trees, waiting for help”, said the archbishop.
Rio Grande do Sul has 66 registered deaths, six deaths under investigation and 101 missing to date, according to a report from the State Civil Defense this Sunday. More than 300 municipalities have already been affected by the heavy rains that hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
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