The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the floods that have affected Bahía Blanca, Argentina, sent by the Holy Father Francis to Archbishop Carlos Alfonso Azpiroz Costa, O.P., of Bahía Blanca:

Telegram

SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE NATURAL DISASTER THAT IS AFFECTING THE REGION OF BAHÍA BLANCA, AND WHICH HAS CAUSED SO MANY VICTIMS AND MATERIAL DAMAGE, I OFFER FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THE ETERNAL REST OF THE DECEASED. I ALSO WISH TO EXPRESS MY SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO THE ENTIRE POPULATION, IMPLORING THE LORD TO GRANT COMFORT TO THE BEREAVED AND TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING IN THESE MOMENTS OF PAIN AND UNCERTAINTY, AND TO SUSTAIN WITH HIS GRACE ALL THOSE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING AND TO THE ARDUOUS PROCESS OF RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DEVASTATED AREAS.

AS I ASK OUR LADY OF MERCY TO INTERCEDE WITH HER SON JESUS CHRIST FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS CATASTROPHE, I AFFECTIONATELY IMPART TO YOU MY APOSTOLIC BLESSING.

FRANCIS