Tragedy in Ethiopia: Pope Francis prays for thousands of landslide victims

In his message after the Angelus, Pope Francis expressed his deep regret for the tragedy that occurred in southern Ethiopia, where a landslide has devastated a town, leaving more than 250 dead and thousands affected.

“I assure you of my prayers for the victims of the landslide that swept through a village in southern Ethiopia. “I am close to this population that suffers so much and to all those who are helping them,” express the Pontiff before the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square on July 28.

According to a statement According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 257 people have died and more than 15,000 need to be evacuated due to the landslides that occurred on July 21 and 22 in the Gofa area, southern region of Ethiopia. The death toll is expected to rise to up to 500 people.

Search and rescue operations continue under the direction of local authorities and with the support of the Ethiopian Red Cross and community members.

In his message, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of international solidarity in times of crisis like the current one, calling on the global community to pay attention and help to those affected. “While there are so many people in the world suffering from calamities and hunger, weapons continue to be manufactured and sold and resources are burned to fuel wars large and small,” denounced the Holy Father.

“This is a scandal that the international community should not tolerate, and which contradicts the spirit of brotherhood of the Olympic Games that have just begun,” he added.

Pope Francis: A call to action on the World Day of Grandparents and Seniors 2024

Next, Pope Francis addressed the celebration of the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, which is celebrated this July 28, underscoring the importance of caring for and valuing the elderly. With the theme “In old age do not abandon me”, inspired by Psalm 71:9, the Pontiff highlighted the reality of the abandonment that many elderly people face: “The abandonment of the elderly is, in fact, a sad reality that we cannot ignore. “We must get used to it.”

“Today’s Day invites us to listen to the voice of the elderly who say: ‘Do not abandon me!’, and to respond to them: ‘I will not abandon you! Let us strengthen the alliance between grandchildren and grandparents, between young people and the elderly. Let’s say ‘no’ to the loneliness of the elderly! ”She expressed.

Pope Francis concluded his message by remembering the importance of generational interconnection for the future of society. “Our future depends a lot on how grandparents and grandchildren learn to live together. Let’s not forget the elderly! And a round of applause for all the grandparents, for everyone!”