Originally published at National Catholic Register
Pray for peace, sustained by faith and hope, the Pope said Nov. 6.
Opening his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square with a prayer to Our Lady of the Forsaken (Virgen de los Desamparados), the patroness of Valencia, Spain, Pope Francis asked people to pray for the victims of flash floods in Spain.
“I wished to greet the Virgen de los Desamparados,” the Pope told the crowds of pilgrims at the Vatican after placing a white rose before her statue. “Today, in a special way, let us pray for Valencia and for the other areas of Spain that are suffering because of the water,” the Holy Father said.
More than 200 people have been confirmed dead in Valencia since heavy rains hit the eastern province of Spain last week. An additional 90 people were reported missing after severe floods swept through the city, destroying homes and personal property, businesses, roads and other public infrastructure.
Following his prayer to the Virgin Mary for the people of Spain, the Pope
