Pope invites prayers for Ireland visit, condoles tragedy in Italy

Pope Francis on Wednesday urged for prayers for his visit to Ireland this weekend.  “Pray also for me so that the next trip to Dublin, August 25-26, on the occasion of the World Meeting of Families, be a moment of grace and listening to the voice of Christian families of the entire world, the Pope said in Italian at the end of his weekly general audience in the  Vatican.

The Holy Father also recalled Monday’s tragedy in southern Italy’s Calabria region where 10 hikers were killed after a flash flood swept through the narrow Raganello Gorge.   “While I entrust to the merciful goodness of God all those who disappeared dramatically, I express my spiritual closeness with their families and those wounded,” the Pope said.