Post Angelus Prayers from Pope Leo XIV: Flooding in Asia, peace throughout the world

 

Rescue and relief operations continue following massive floods in Pakistan  (ANSA)

Pope

• natural disasters
• Pope Leo XIV
• Angelus
• appeal
• Pakistan
• India
• Nepal

Pope offers prayers for flood victims in Pakistan, Nepal and India

Following the Angelus prayer in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo remembers victims and their families after flash floods kill more than 300 people in Pakistan, Nepal and India-administered Kashmir.

By Kielce Gussie

After praying the Angelus in Freedom Square (Piazza della Libertà) in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo expressed his closeness to the people in Pakistan, India, and Nepal who have been affected by severe flooding.

The Pope shared his prayers “for the victims and their families, and for all those who are suffering as a result of this calamity.” More than 300 people have been killed in northwest Pakistan, India-administered Kashmir, and Nepal after two days of torrential rains and flash floods.

 In Pakistan, officials report rescue teams have evacuated more than 3,500 tourists trapped in areas hit by the floods since Thursday. Over ten villages in the Nuner region were destroyed by the flooding, and landslides and devastated roads kept workers from reaching communities.

Read also

17/08/2025

Pope Leo: The Lord invites us to persevere in doing good

17/08/2025

Pope in Albano: Welcome Christ in the poor

Reiterating his ongoing calls for peace in the world, Pope Leo also expressed his desire that efforts to end wars and promote peace come to fruition and that, “in every negotiation, the common good of peoples may always be given priority.”

Signs of hope

In the midst of the summer months, the Pope said he has received news of different cultural and evangelization initiatives, sometimes organized in places where people vacation. He pointed out how encouraging it is “to see how a passion for the Gospel inspires the creativity and commitment of groups and associations of all ages.”

The Pope used the example of the youth mission that was held recently in Riccione, Italy, and he expressed his gratitude for everyone who helped promote and participate in these types of events.

Are we already forgetting Nepal??

Aid, health and water are fundamental issues in Nepal

Nepalese women wait for water in Kathmandu. - AFP

02/05/2015

(Vatican Radio) Customs bottlenecks in Nepal are being blamed for a hold up in the distribution of urgently needed aid. Exacerbating the situation, is also a shortage of supply trucks and drivers, because after the earthquake many immediately returned to their villages to help their families. At the same time, the Nepalese Government is still appealing for aid in the form of tents, tarpaulins and basic food supplies of grains, salt and sugar.  The Finance Minister Ram Sharam Mahat told reporters "We have received things like tuna fish mayonnaise.  What good are those things to us?"
Health Care continues to be the biggest problem. Paul Garwood of the UN’s World Health Organisation, who is on the ground in Kathmandu, told UN Radio a timely response to potential health crises is of the essence, especially as the water supply is concerned, stating that "It is crucial to start early in the prevention of communicable diseases such as diarrhea ... diarrhea is endemic already in Nepal ... we have to be on guard, on the watch from the very start."

The quake that struck last Saturday is the worst to hit Nepal in the last 80 years.  Civil and religious authorities as well as international organisations have appealed to governments and  citizens around the globe for urgent assistance.

Still the best way to help the people of Nepal; donate thru CRS

Prayer and Action needed for people of Nepal

Catholic Relief Services • Tue, Apr 28 2015

 

photo courtesy of NBC News

Click here to make a gift to Catholic Relief Services to help the people affected by the earthquake in Nepal.
On April 25, a devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck Nepal near Kathmandu, also affecting nearby parts of India. Avalanches were reported in the Himalayas, including on Mount Everest.
As the official death toll approached 4,000, Catholic Relief Services emergency personnel landed in Kathmandu, where they will aid the tens of thousands of people affected by this powerful earthquake.
CRS and our partner Caritas Nepal plan to support 10,000 families with emergency shelter, blankets, water treatment kits and hygiene kits. Because this region is known for earthquakes, CRS had prepositioned emergency aid in nearby Bihar, India. Temporary shelter kits, water purification kits and hygiene kits for 2,000 families–are being transported to Nepal for immediate distribution.
An additional 3,000 tarpaulins will be flown from a hub in Dubai within the next couple days. CRS is also procuring emergency supplies in India. And more emergency personnel are on the way.
CRS has made an initial commitment of $825,000 to relief efforts in Nepal, a figure that is expected to rise as needs become clearer.

This is what CRS does best; yes, I'm aware recent issues with CRS; that will get corrected. Being able to mobilize when disaster strikes is the mission.

Major Earthquake Hits Nepal: CRS and Caritas Mobilizing Response

April 26, 2015 by Jim Stipe

Updated April 26, 2015
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has made an initial commitment of $725,000 toward relief efforts in Nepal and surrounding countries where a powerful earthquake has caused widespread damage.
A dozen CRS emergency specialists are on the way to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, where many buildings collapsed in the 7.8 magnitude quake centered about 50 miles northwest of the capital city.
The official death toll is above 2,200 and still rising, with officials yet to reach many outlying villages. A deadly avalanche was reported at Mount Everest, undoubtedly only one of many in the Himalayas.
“People are in a state of shock and are going to face a cold night outside tonight,” CRS India staffer Kushal Neogy, who is in Kathmandu, said right after the earthquake hit. “There is no electricity. It appears to be a chaotic situation with a feeling of panic.” He added, “People of the area are confused, markets are closed, and getting basic essentials is expensive and challenging.”
As CRS personnel arrive in Kathmandu, they will work closely with Caritas Nepal and Caritas India as well as Caritas Australia which has staff on the ground.
“We are immediately sending materials for emergency shelter and for safe water, sanitation and hygiene as these are expected to be the urgent needs,” said CRS India Country Representative Tony Castleman. Because of the cold conditions, CRS is also sending blankets to the area.
Supplies prepositioned in India will be moved by road into Nepal as additional relief items are procured locally. The UN has been contacted about the possibility of humanitarian relief flights should that be needed.
“Rescue is the first priority,” said Fr. Pius Perumana S.J., Director of Caritas Nepal, based in Kathmandu. “Lots of people have lost their homes and are out on the street or in open spaces so we will be looking to provide them with food and temporary shelter.”
Nepal and the neighboring regions are known for seismic activity, but not of this magnitude.
“It is the worst earthquake I have ever experienced in my life,” Fr. Perumana said. “Thank God it was during the day and on a holiday as many people were outside when the quake happened.”
A prayer for Nepal is available in the CRS Resource Center.