Prayers for victims of disastrous floods

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration before the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, the Holy Father led the Angelus prayer and made an appeal for Pakistan, which has been suffering from severe floods, and for peace, especially in Ukraine.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

At the end of this celebration, we turn to the Virgin Mary with the Angelus prayer.

Before, however, I would like to greet all of you who have participated, including all those who had to do so from a distance, at home, or in hospital, or in prison. I thank the civil authorities for their presence and for their effort in organizing this. I cordially thank the Cardinal Archbishop and the other Bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, families, the choir and all the volunteers, as well as law enforcement and civil protection.

In this place that suffered a harsh calamity, I want to assure the people of Pakistan, struck by floods of disastrous proportions, of my nearness. I pray for the numerous victims, for the wounded and those forced from their homes, and that international solidarity may be prompt and generous.

And now let us invoke Our Lady so that, as I said at the end of my homily, she might obtain pardon and peace for the entire world. Let us pray for the people of Ukraine and for all those who suffer because of war. May the God of peace revive a human and Christian sense of compassion and mercy in the hearts of the leaders of nations. Mary, Mother of Mercy and Queen of Peace, pray for us!