Originally published at National Catholic Register
Though official tolls are unclear and continue to rise, thousands are feared dead or injured.
Pope Francis on Wednesday prayed especially for Cyclone Chido victims in the French territory of Mayotte during his weekly general audience.
Before greeting thousands of pilgrims crowded inside the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father paused to pray before the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux brought to Rome by French pilgrims attending the Pope’s Wednesday audience.
“I express my concern for all the inhabitants of the Mayotte archipelago devastated by a cyclone and I assure them of my prayers,” the pope shared with pilgrims.
“May God grant rest to those who lost their lives, the necessary help to all those in need, and comfort to the bereaved families,” he continued.
Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas territory located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique, was hit by its worst tropical cyclone in 90 years with wind speeds at more than 124 mph, reports the World Meteorological Organization.
Though official tolls are unclear and continue to rise, thousands are feared dead or injured. According to Al Jazeera, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou stated on Tuesday more than 1,500 people were injured as a
