Pope Francis sent a video message of support to those affected by this natural disaster,
a month after the devastating passage of Hurricane Otis on the coast of Guerrero (Mexico), which especially hit the port of Acapulco.
The Pope conveyed his solidarity with the clear words, “I am close to you” .
Hurricane Otis made landfall near Acapulco at 12:25 a.m. (local time) on 25 October with category 5 and wind gusts of up to 330 kilometers per hour. According to the most recent official figure provided by the authorities, at least 50 people died as a result of the natural disaster, and around 274 thousand homes were affected, “from minor damage to total loss.”
“I know what you are suffering in Acapulco. I know the destruction of this hurricane, what happened to them. I am simply close to you,” said the Holy Father.
The Pope encouraged the affected population to rebuild their community: “I ask together with you that you can get up, rebuild and show the fiber you have to ‘start over’.”
This show of closeness adds to the expression of support that the Pontiff made during the Angelus prayer on Sunday, 29 October and to the telegram sent to Bishop Leopoldo González González, Archbishop of Acapulco, on October 27, in which he prayed that “feelings of ardent charity will increase in the Christian community to collaborate in the reconstruction of the affected areas.”
Cáritas Mexicana made available an account number to receive donations destined for the communities served pastorally by the Archdiocese of Acapulco.