The Pope expresses sorrow and solidarity with those affected by the Kristin storm in Portugal

Vatican City.- Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences and prayers in a telegram after learning of the serious consequences of Storm Kristin’s passage through Portugal.

In a telegram sent to Monsignor José Ornelas Carvalho, Bishop of Leiria-Fátima and President of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP), upon learning of the serious devastation that the storm caused in the center of the country, “the Pope wishes to express his sorrow for the people who lost their lives and spiritually joins the pain of their families.”

So far, five deaths have been reported due to storm Kristin, in addition to floods, landslides and power outages that have affected more than 850,000 people.

The Pope has also expressed “his solidarity with the injured, the displaced, and those severely affected by the enormous damage caused by this storm.”

You may be interested in: Portugal prepares for another week of storms with rain, wind and snow

And offers his prayers “for national and local authorities, as well as for civil, military, and religious institutions that unite to support them, expressing his gratitude for the commitment of ecclesial organizations, without forgetting the spontaneous solidarity of each citizen.” Finally, Leo XIV “asks God for the balm of solidarity and the light of Christian hope, imparting his apostolic blessing”.