RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, APRIL 16, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI sent financial aid in solidarity with victims of the landslides caused by this month’s torrential rains in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Through the Pontifical Council Cor Unum and the apostolic nunciature in Brazil, the Pope sent a donation of $50,000 to Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of Rio, the archdiocesan press office informed ZENIT.
The donation will be allocated «to all those who have been affected by the landslides caused by the torrential rains that devastated some favelas of the city of Rio de Janeiro,» the office reported.
Archbishop Tempesta received the news in a letter sent by Cardinal Josef Cordes, president of Cor Unum.
Cor Unum is the Vatican council established by Pope Paul VI in 1971 to coordinate the initiatives of Catholic charitable institutions.
Over 230 people died as a result of the torrential rains and landslides in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In Niteroi, one of the most affected areas, there were 146 dead and 43 wounded.
