At the end of the general audience held today in Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father said: "My thoughts go to the dear peoples of Algeria, recently stricken by floods, which have caused thousands of victims, and left many families homeless."

"While I entrust to the merciful goodness of God all those who died tragically, I express my spiritual closeness to their families and to those who suffer because of this grave calamity," the Pope said.

"May our brothers, who have been so sorely tried, not lack our solidarity and the concrete support of the international community," the Pope concluded.

The Algerian government requested international aid to ease the effects of the floods that have devastated the Algiers region and heavily damaged infrastructure. Heavy rains are predicted to continue over the next few days.