Archbishop Hughes says pope sends blessings, prayers to New Orleans

Published: 2006-06-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI sent his heartfelt blessings and assurances of his continued prayers to the residents of New Orleans still feeling the effects of Hurricane Katrina, said New Orleans Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes. After a private audience June 1, the archbishop told Catholic News Service that he wanted to personally thank the pope for his support in the aftermath of the crisis, which devastated the Louisiana seaport. He said he also thanked the pope for having sent funding and a special envoy, Archbishop Paul Cordes, head of the Vatican's charity arm, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. "The Holy Father was wonderful in his expression of concern and support," Archbishop Hughes told CNS, and "he wanted me to send back his blessings" and tell people that his prayers for everyone there continue. The archbishop, who was in Rome to attend meetings of the Vox Clara commission, said the private audience also gave him a chance to give the pope a detailed assessment of the damage to his archdiocese and what kind of recovery has been made.

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