Pope: appeal for hurricane victims (full text)

(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI launched an appeal on Sunday for the victims and all those affected by Hurricane Sandy, which killed more than twenty people across the Caribbean, striking the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica with particular force. In his remarks after the Angelus prayer with the faithful who were gathered for Mass to mark the conclusion of the XIII Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the New Evangelization, the Holy Father assured all those affected by the storm of his spiritual closeness, and promised to remember the victims in prayer. Pope Benedict asked all the faithful to pray for those affected as well, and issued a general call for concrete acts of solidarity. Below, please find the full text of Vatican Radio's English translation of the Holy Father's appeal.

********************************************

Full text: appeal of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, for those affected by Hurricane Sandy

In recent days, a devastating hurricane struck Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas with particular violence, causing several deaths and enormous damage, and forcing many people to leave their homes. I wish to assure you of my closeness and my recollection of those who have been affected by this natural disaster, while I invite everyone to prayer and solidarity, in order to alleviate the pain of the families of the victims and offer support to the thousands of people who have been hurt in various ways by the storm.