Greeting the French-speaking pilgrims during the general audience this Wednesday, December 18, in the Paul VI room, the Holy Father expressed his closeness and addressed his prayers to the inhabitants of the French archipelago of Mayotte, ravaged by a cyclone last Saturday. He also spoke about his recent trip to Corsica.
Xavier Sartre – Vatican City
Proximity and prayer. Pope Francis, addressing the French speakers present in the Paul VI room to attend the general audience on Wednesday, asked that “God grant rest to those who have lost their lives, necessary relief to all those in need, and comfort to the afflicted families” by a devastating cyclone.
On Saturday, Cyclone Chido hit this French overseas territory, devastating everything in its path. According to a provisional report, 22 people lost their lives and 1,373 were injured, but the prefecture fears that the number of victims will be much higher due to the extremely precarious living conditions of part of the population, including numerous illegal immigrants from the Republic of the Comoros. A curfew was established this Tuesday, December 17, an airlift was set up with the mainland and a sea bridge was activated with Reunion. A field hospital must be set up quickly to relieve the local establishment, damaged by the strong winds.
The Pope had already expressed his concern for Mayotte during his meeting with the French president at the end of his day in Corsica on Sunday. Before reciting the Angelus prayer in Ajaccio Cathedral, in the presence of several French bishops, he asked to pray for the victims. “I am spiritually close to all those who have been affected by this tragedy” he had said.
The heat of the Corsicans
The Holy Father also mentioned Corsica in his greetings to French speakers. “The recent trip to Corsica, where I was welcomed so warmly, particularly struck me by the fervor of the people, for whom faith is not a private affair, and by the number of children present. Great joy and great hope!” he exclaimed.
During mass on the Place d’Austerlitz on Sunday, Francis, during the homily, expressed his joy and surprise at seeing so many children come with their parents. He also repeated it to the journalists who followed him on the plane back to Rome: “I would like to point out one thing: do you have the number of children? Think of other trips where you haven’t seen them”.
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