Pope offers prayers for victims of flooding in India

Published: 2005-07-28

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI offered his prayers for the victims of widespread flooding in India and for rescue and relief workers trying to help the thousands of people left homeless or stranded by exceptionally heavy rains. News agencies said more than 400 people died in flooding and mudslides, which began July 26 with what Indian officials said was the most rainfall ever recorded on a single day in India: 26 inches in Mumbai. The pope's condolences were conveyed in a telegram from Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, to Cardinal Ivan Dias of Mumbai. "Deeply saddened by reports of the tragic consequences of the monsoon rains in Maharashtra state, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI sends the assurance of his profound solidarity and pastoral concern," said the telegram, released July 28.

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