Vatican City, Aug 5, 2020 / 02:48 am
Pope Francis has asked for prayers for Lebanon and for the victims of yesterday's Beirut explosions, which have killed over a hundred people and caused serious destruction to the city.
Speaking after his general audience address on Wednesday, the pope noted the "massive explosions" which occurred near the port in Beirut Aug. 4.
"Let us pray for the victims, for their families; and let us pray for Lebanon, so that, through the dedication of all its social, political, and religious elements, it might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing," he said via livestream from the Vatican.
The blast, which occurred at a warehouse at Beirut's port, has killed at least 100 and injured thousands, flooding hospitals. The death toll is expected to climb further as emergency personnel search for an unknown number of people still missing in the rubble.