Pope prays for storm victims in central and eastern Europe

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis assured the victims of Storm Boris of his closeness, saying at the weekly general audience that he was praying especially for those who lost their lives and for their families.

At least 21 people have been killed as heavy rain and snowfall caused widespread damage in Austria, Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland and other central and eastern European countries.

Thousands of people have been evacuated in areas hit by the storms, and Poland’s prime minister has declared a month-long state of emergency. The Polish city of Wroclaw, with a population of more than 600,000, is expected to see flooding on Wednesday, while Bratislava and Budapest, capitals of Slovakia and Hungary respectively, are bracing for rising waters from the Danube.

In his address at the audience, Pope Francis praised and encouraged local Catholic communities and other volunteer organizations for the help they provide to those in need.

World Alzheimer’s Day

Pope Francis also mentioned World Alzheimer’s Day, celebrated on Saturday, September 21. He called for prayers that “medical science can soon offer prospects for a cure for this disease and that increasingly appropriate actions can be undertaken to support the sick and their families.”

World Dementia Day is “a global effort to raise awareness and combat the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia” which affect more than 55 million people worldwide.

Greetings to the religious

In greeting in particular the groups present at the general audience, Pope Francis extended a special welcome to those participating in the Congress of Abbots of the Benedictine Confederation and to their new Abbot Primate, elected on Saturday, September 14.

He encouraged them all to commit themselves, “with charitable and missionary zeal, to making the Benedictine spirit ever more relevant in the world.”

The Pope also addressed words of greeting and encouragement to the Lay Carmelites, urging them to be a leaven of the Gospel, to go out to meet the weakest to become a sign of a Church always going out.