In two telegrams signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope expresses his closeness to the people of Italy and Greece who are suffering due to extreme weather conditions. During the abnormal heat, large fires are raging in many parts of these countries. On the other hand, the inhabitants of the northern part of Italy experienced heavy rains and devastating hail.
Jānis Evertovskis – Vatican
The telegrams are addressed to the heads of the bishops’ conferences of Italy and Greece – Cardinal Mateo Dzupi and Bishop Petros Stefanou. The telegram sent to Cardinal Dzupi said that the Holy Father affirms his closeness to the victims and indicated that these climatic conditions suggest “the need to act with courage and foresight to face the challenge of climate change and responsibly protect creation by caring for the common home”. Francis prays that God, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, gives comfort to the victims, approves the work of aid workers and gives his apostolic blessing.
In a telegram addressed to the president of the Greek Episcopal Conference, we read that the Pope is “seriously concerned about the threat to life and the damage caused by the fires that have engulfed different parts of Greece and beyond”. The reason for the outbreak of fires is the great heat that has taken over Southern Europe. The Holy Father assures that he prays for the victims and asks God to bless the firefighters involved in the rescue work. He hopes that “the risks to our common home, exacerbated by the current climate crisis, will inspire all people with renewed efforts to care for the gift of creation for the benefit of future generations.”
2023-07-28 16:28:25
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