Storm victims in Pope’s prayers

Pope Francis has prayed for those affected by floods in Texas, Louisiana in the US and southern Asia.

In his address in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis yesterday prayed for comfort for the US towns and cities that have been hit by a hurricane and “exceptional rains”.

Francis said he was joining in the suffering of residents of Texas and Louisiana and cited the “victims, thousandsofhomelessand the enormous property damage”.

He said he was praying to Mary, Jesus’s mother, “the consoler of the afflicted,” so that God grants “the grace of comfort for our brothers who have been sorely tried”.

He also renewed his “spiritual closeness” to those in southern Asia still suffering from the consequences of recent extensive flooding there.