Again this Sunday the Pope remembered the victims of DANA. “I renew my memory for the population of Valencia and other parts of Spain, who are facing the consequences of the floods,” he said at the Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace. As the pilgrims have applauded him, Francisco has invited them to materialize that solidarity with actions.
“I ask you a question,” he added, departing from the text he had prepared. «Have you prayed for Valencia? Have you thought about making a contribution to help those people? “It’s just a question,” he assured.
It is the fifth time that Francisco has intervened publicly on the tragedy in Valencia, and it is not usual for him to intervene several times on the same event. Without a doubt, the Pope is also impressed by the number of victims, the magnitude of the catastrophe and the tenacity of the volunteers.
The first time he mentioned DANA was through a message recorded on video on October 31, two days after the floods, addressed to the president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Luis Argüello. The Pontiff also remembered Valencia in the Angelus on November 1 and 3, and in the general audience on November 6. At that meeting, he carried an image of the patron saint of Valencia, the Virgin of the Forsaken, and prayed a Hail Mary before her.
Also this week he has had private conversations with people in Valencia and others who know the rescue and cleanup tasks. On Monday, during a meeting with Father Ángel and Sister Lucía Caram, he thanked them for the aid initiatives they have undertaken in the Levant.
Beatification in Spain
On the other hand, the Pope recalled that yesterday the priest José Torres Padilla, co-founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross, was beatified in the cathedral of Seville. «He lived in 19th century Spain and distinguished himself as a priest confessor and spiritual guide, testifying to great charity with those in need. “May his example sustain priests above all in their ministry,” the Pope said. Then, he asked the thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square to give a round of applause “for the new blessed.” The Canarian priest was elevated to the altars this Saturday, in a ceremony presided over by an envoy of the Pope, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
Baku COP 29
Furthermore, Pope Francis recalled in his greeting that the COP 29 Climate Change Conference begins this Monday in Baku (Azerbaijan) and has asked “to contribute effectively to the protection of our common home.” Last year he himself was scheduled to participate in COP 28 in Dubai, but canceled the trip on the advice of doctors.
Francis has also said that he follows the protests in Mozambique “with concern.” Human Rights Watch has reported that around 30 people have been killed during protests over alleged fraud in the October 9 elections. «I invite everyone to dialogue, tolerance and the tireless search for fair solutions. Let us pray for the entire Mozambican population, so that the current situation does not make them lose faith in the path of democracy, justice and peace,” he cried. He also remembered those affected by the eruption of the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on the island of Flores (Indonesia), which caused 9 fatalities and the evacuation of thousands of people. “I pray for the victims, their families and the displaced,” the Pope said.
«And let us please continue to pray for the tormented Ukraine, where hospitals and other civil buildings are also affected; and let us pray for Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan. Let us pray for peace throughout the world,” he concluded.
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