The following is the telegram of condolence sent on behalf of the Holy Father Leo XIV by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Bishop José Ornelas Carvalho, S.C.I., of Leiria-Fátima, for the victims of Storm “Kristin” in Portugal:

Telegram

HIS MOST REVEREND EXCELLENCY
BISHOP JOSÉ ORNELAS CARVALHO, S.C.I.
OF LEIRIA-FÁTIMA
PRESIDENT OF THE PORTUGUESE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE

UPON LEARNING OF THE PASSAGE OF STORM KRISTIN THROUGHOUT PORTUGUESE TERRITORY, LEAVING DEVASTATION IN ITS WAKE, PARTICULARLY IN THE CENTRE OF THE COUNTRY, THE HOLY FATHER WISHES TO EXPRESS HIS SORROW FOR THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES, JOINING SPIRITUALLY WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE FAMILIES. EXPRESSING HIS CLOSENESS TO THE INJURED, THE DISPLACED, AND THOSE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ENORMOUS DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS STORM, HIS HOLINESS PRAYS FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES, AS WELL AS FOR THE CIVIL, MILITARY AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE UNITING TO COME TO THEIR AID. WITH KEEN RECOGNITION OF THE COMMITMENT OF ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS THE SPONTANEOUS MUTUAL AID OF EACH CITIZEN, POPE LEO XIV IMPLORES GOD TO GRANT ALL THE BALM OF SOLIDARITY AND THE LIGHT OF CHRISTIAN HOPE, BY BESTOWING UPON THEM, THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF OUR LADY OF FÁTIMA, THE COMFORT OF HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE