Vatican City, Aug 31, 2017 / 07:45 am
On Thursday, Pope Francis voiced his sympathy to those suffering from the effects of Hurricane Harvey, offering prayers for the victims and rescue workers.
In an Aug. 31 letter to Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Pope offered his "spiritual closeness and pastoral concern" to all those affected by "the violent hurricane that swept through the states of Texas and Louisiana in these days."
Signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the letter said Francis has been "deeply moved by the tragic loss of life and the immense material devastation that this natural catastrophe has left in its wake."
The Pope then offered his prayer for the victims and their families, and for all those involved in "the vital work of relief, recovery and rebuilding."