Pope Francis asked this Sunday for “concrete charity” for all countries suffering from wars, poverty and natural disasters, in the usual Angelus prayer, in Saint Peter’s Square, in Vatican City.
“The love of Jesus asks us to let ourselves be touched by the suffering of those who suffer,” the Pope said, referring to thinking “especially of Syria and Turkey, of the many victims of the earthquake,” but also “of the daily dramas of the dear Ukrainian people and of so many peoples suffering from war, poverty and environmental devastation”.
Francisco also expressed his closeness to New Zealand, due to the cyclone that hit the country and caused victims and extensive damage.
“Let us not forget those who suffer, may our charity be attentive and concrete,” the Pope urged.
The Vatican head of state has sent several tons of food to the area of Turkey affected by the earthquake, as reported by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, pontifical beggar.
The military offensive launched on February 24, 2022 by Russia in Ukraine has so far caused the flight of more than 14 million people -6.5 million internally displaced persons and more than eight million to European countries-, according to the latest data. recent from the United Nations. , who classify this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
Right now, 17.7 million Ukrainians need humanitarian aid and 9.3 million need food aid and shelter.
On Saturday, the Turkish authorities raised the death toll to about 40,000 due to the earthquakes registered on February 6 in the south of the country, near the border with Syria, a country in which nearly 4,000 people have already died. according to official data. .
The passage of tropical cyclone Gabrielle through the North Island of New Zealand left at least three dead and more than 10,500 homeless, the country’s authorities reported Wednesday.
Source: TSF
