Pope calls Brazilian Archbishop in solidarity for floods

By Vatican News

The death toll from the heavy rains that have been lashing southern Brazil since the end of April has risen to 137. The number of displaced people has exceeded 600,000. The most dramatic situation is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, on the border with Argentina and Uruguay, where the intensity of the precipitation continues to increase and is expected to worsen in the coming hours.

The Pope's Solidarity

Pope Francis expressed his closeness in a telephone call to all those who are suffering from this disaster, which mainly affects the poorest people. He made the call on Saturday, May 11, to Archbishop Jaime Spengler of Porto Alegre, and president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil. The Archbishop, who expressed his emotion for the Pope's paternal gesture, said he was surprised to receive the call during which the Pope expressed words of comfort for the population of Rio Grande do Sul. "I express my solidarity," said the Pontiff, "to all those who are suffering from this disaster. I am close to you and I pray for you."

Concrete help 

The Pope had already expressed his solidarity with the people affected by the heavy rains at the end of the Regina Caeli on Sunday, May 5. "I want to assure you," he had said, "of my prayers for the population of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which has been hit by major floods. May the Lord receive the dead and comfort their families and those who have had to leave their homes."

Archbishop Spengler confirmed that this closeness is accompanied by a tangible gesture of help as announced by the Apostolic Nunciature in Brazil that said a substantial sum was allocated by the Holy Father to help those in need.