Pope Francis began Wednesday’s General Audience by praying before an image of Our Lady of the Forsaken, patron saint of Valencia, before asking for prayers for that land “that is submerged in water and suffering.”
After walking through St. Peter’s Square and arriving at the place on the steps from where he usually presides over these meetings, Pope Francis took a few moments to present a white rose as an offering and pray before an image of this Marian devotion.
Before the usual intervention of the readers, Pope Francis shared with those present the meaning of this gesture:
“I wanted to greet Our Lady of the Forsaken, the Virgin who cares for the poor, the patron saint of Valencia,” the Pope said. “Valencia, which suffers as much as other parts of Spain. But Valencia is submerged in water and is suffering.”
“I wanted the patron saint of Valencia to be here, this small image that the Valencians themselves gave me. Today, in a special way, we pray for Valencia and other areas of Spain suffering from the floods,” he added.
At the end of the catechesis, the Pontiff invited those present to pray a Hail Mary for this intention.
Pope Francis’ words come a week after a confluence of meteorological factors and failures in risk management caused the greatest natural devastation in Spain’s recent history.
More than 200 people have died and many more are still missing and bodies are unidentified.
Thousands of citizens have shown their solidarity with those affected by the storm and in recent days have come on foot with buckets, brooms and shovels to help remove the mud from the streets and houses.
The Catholic Church in Spain has been involved in sending volunteers and means of subsistence, as well as in raising funds to provide medium and long-term reconstruction in the affected areas, in addition to providing spiritual and psychological help.