Pope Francis conveyed his condolences and prayers for the victims of floods and landslides in Petropolis, Brazil.
The Holy Father’s thoughts were expressed in a telegram sent on his behalf by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the city’s Bishop Gregório Paixão Neto.
In the telegram, Pope Francis says he is close to the families of the victims and participates in the grief of all those who have been bereaved or have lost their homes and belongings. The Holy Father is “asking God, father of mercy, for eternal repose for the deceased, comfort for the victims for whom he wishes a speedy recovery and the serenity and consolation of Christian hope for all those affected by this painful ordeal”, and sends his apostolic blessing to those who are suffering.
Rio de Janeiro state government has confirmed 117 deaths from the floods and mudslides that swept away homes and cars in the city of Petrópolis, reported Vatican News. Survivors continue to dig and the number of people still trapped in the mud is unclear. Police estimate there are at least 116 people still missing.
Petrópolis was engulfed in floods and mudslides on Tuesday triggered by a storm described as “the most intense in decades”. Video footage showed buses sinking into a swollen river as its passengers clambered out of windows, scrambling for safety, some can be seen disappearing in torrential water.
The city is located 68 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro. Local meteorological agency MetSul reported that some parts of Petropolis received nearly 26 centimeters in less than six hours — more than was expected for the entire month of February.
The mountain city is a refuge for local people escaping the summer heat and for tourists. Rio police say about 200 agents are visiting checkpoints and shelters to identify the living.
Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, through Caritas, has launched an “SOS Petrópolis” campaign, asking for donations for families affected by the rains, and the Diocese of Petrópolis and city parishes have opened their doors to assist victims.
In a video message, Bishop Gregório Paixão Neto asked that priests and parishioners take in people whose houses have been destroyed or damaged.
“This moment is one of solidarity, and we of the Catholic Church are deeply united and in solidarity with all families,” he said, inviting the faithful to welcome relatives, friends, and those who are in despair, looking for a place to stay. “I, myself, already have a family staying in my house,” he added.
The following is the telegram sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Bishop Gregório Paixão Neto, O.S.B., of Petrópolis:
THE HOLY FATHER, UPON LEARNING WITH DEEP SORROW OF THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE LANDSLIDE IN THIS CITY, ENTRUSTS THE BISHOP TO CONVEY TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS HIS CONDOLENCES AND HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE GRIEF OF ALL THOSE WHO ARE BEREAVED OR WHO HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF THEIR POSSESSIONS. ASKING GOD, THE FATHER OF MERCY, FOR ETERNAL REPOSE FOR THE DECEASED, COMFORT FOR THE VICTIMS FOR WHOM HE WISHES A SPEEDY RECOVERY, AND THE SERENITY AND CONSOLATION OF CHRISTIAN HOPE FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS PAINFUL ORDEAL, HE SENDS HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING AND THOSE WHO SEEK TO ALLEVIATE THEIR SUFFERINGS.
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS
