Pope Francis offered a prayer on Sunday dedicated to the population of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, who have been impacted by severe floods in recent days. The pontiff expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and those who had to evacuate their homes due to the flooding. The prayer was delivered from the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, where the pope showed solidarity with the victims of the natural disaster.
As of Sunday morning, the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul reported that the flooding and overflowing rivers had affected 332 cities in the state, resulting in at least 66 deaths, 155 injuries, and 101 people still missing. Authorities are investigating additional deaths to determine if they are related to the floods. Over 80,000 individuals were forced to evacuate their homes, with 15,192 of them remaining in public shelters as of the latest update.
The situation in Rio Grande do Sul remains dire, with many individuals displaced and in need of assistance. Pope Francis assured the population of his prayers and support during this challenging time. The region is in a state of emergency as efforts continue to address the aftermath of the floods and provide relief to those affected.