Pope Francis expressed his closeness and assured his prayers, the day after the devastating earthquake that affected Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the surrounding areas on September 19, 2017. Hundreds of deaths are deplored. Interim assessments are of 248 victims.
The Holy Father mentioned this “terrible earthquake”, which caused “numerous victims and numerous material damages, during the General Audience over which he presided in St. Peter’s Square, on Wednesday morning, September 20.
“In this moment of grief,” he expressed in Spanish his ”closeness” and he assured his prayers to “all the beloved Mexican population.”
He invited to pray “that God receive in His bosom those who lost their life, and that He comfort the wounded, their dear ones and all the victims.”
The Pontiff also encouraged the rescue services and all those helping persons affected.
“May our Mother, the Virgin of Guadalupe, be close with great tenderness to the beloved Mexican nation,” he concluded.
At the end of the Audience Pope Francis greeted a Mexican choir «Voces Yumhu», of 22 children from native population.
Translation by Virginia M. Forrester
JF
