Prayers for consolation healing and strength

Pope Francis expressed his spiritual closeness to people affected by various catastrophes in different parts of the world, including Argentina, North Macedonia, Myanmar and South Korea.

In a telegram sent to Monsignor Carlos Alfonso Azpiroz Costa, Archbishop of Bahía Blanca, on Monday, 10 March, the Pope offered prayers for victims of the devastating floods that struck the Argentine city. He also assured of his prayers for rescue workers and for those committed to rebuilding the destroyed area.

On Sunday, 16 March, in a telegram sent to the Bishop Kiro Stojanov of Skopje, and signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis expressed his deep condolences following the tragic fire that broke out overnight in a nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia. Fifty-nine died in the disaster and 155 were injured. In the message, the Holy Father assured “his remembrance in prayer for those who lost their lives” and invoked the Lord’s “comfort for those suffering” from the consequences of such a difficult hardship. Most of the victims were between 14 and 27 years old.

On Friday, 28 March, in a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on his behalf, the Pope expressed his deep concern about “the threat to life and the damage caused by the widespread wildfires in various parts of Korea” and he entrusted “the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God”, sending “heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss”. The Holy Father also offered prayers “for the injured and for the relief efforts of the firefighters and other emergency personnel”, invoking upon everyone “the divine blessings of consolation, healing and strength”.

In a separate telegram, also signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State on Friday, 28 March, Pope Francis expressed his sorrow upon learning of “the loss of life and widespread devastation caused by the earthquake in Southeast Asia, especially in Myanmar and Thailand”. The 7.7-magnitude quake has left over 3,000 people dead. The Holy Father “prays that the emergency personnel will be sustained in their care of the injured and displaced by the divine gifts of fortitude and perseverance”.