Pope makes donation to Brazil flood victims

(April 17, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI has sent financial aid as a token of his solidarity with victims of the landslides caused by this month's torrential rains in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Through the Pontifical Council ‘Cor Unum’ and the apostolic nunciature in Brazil, the Pope sent a donation of $50,000 to Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of Rio, the archdiocesan press office informed ZENIT news agency. 247 people died in last week's flooding and mudslides in and around Rio caused by torrential rains. Last week, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent a condolence message to Archbishop João Tempesta conveying the Holy Father’s concern and closeness for those affected by the disaster. ‘Cor Unum’ is the Catholic Church’s body established by Pope Paul VI in 1971 to coordinate the initiatives of Catholic charitable institutions.