Pope Francis expresses closeness to the victims of the natural disaster in Spain

Pope Francis has committed his prayer and expressed his closeness to the victims of the natural disaster in Spain in a video message addressed to the president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), Mons. Luis Argüello.

The brief message of condolences distributed by the EEC earlier this Thursday in Spain reads as follows:

“Mons. Luis Argüello, dear brother: I want to express my closeness to the people of Valencia and that you should send it to them from Valladolid. I am close to them at this time of this catastrophe and I pray for them. May God bless you all.”

Last Tuesday afternoon in Spain, a meteorological phenomenon called technically dana and popularly known as cold drop broke out, causing a natural disaster in the east of the country that has already claimed nearly a hundred lives.

It is probably the largest catastrophe of this type in the recent history of Spain in terms of number of deaths, after the one that occurred in the Pyrenean town of Biescas in 1996, with 89 deaths, and the 1957 flood in Valencia, when the Turia River overflowed. .

The Archbishop of Valencia, Mons. Enrique Benavent has expressed his gratitude to “each and every one of the dioceses of Spain that have been offering themselves since they learned of the tragedy, to help all Valencians, present in their prayers and willing to help in all needs”, as well as the message received from the president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Mons. Luis Argüello.

The archdiocese is coordinating relief efforts through the vicariates and archpriests, although its own infrastructure has also been affected.

Cáritas Española launched an urgent aid campaign this Wednesday, to accompany the relatives of the deceased and provide help to people who have been left homeless.