Pope to send envoy to U.S. to show solidarity with Katrina's victims

Published: 2005-09-06

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- As a sign of his personal solidarity, Pope Benedict XVI is sending the Vatican's top humanitarian aid official to visit the populations stricken by Hurricane Katrina. Archbishop Paul Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," was to travel to the Gulf Coast region Sept. 10 or 11, his office said. Details of his mission were not immediately available. "Cor Unum" is responsible for promoting and coordinating Catholic charitable projects around the world, and Archbishop Cordes was expected to meet with church-run agencies involved in the Gulf Coast region. The pope announced the move at a Sunday blessing Sept. 4 at his residence outside Rome. For the second time in a week, he expressed his deep concern at the tragedy and asked for prayers for the victims. "In a special way our hearts turn to all those suffering the devastating consequences of Hurricane Katrina in the United States," the pope said, speaking in English.

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