On Tuesday, the Vatican sent a telegram to Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, the apostolic nuncio to Libya, in which the Holy See said Pope Francis was “deeply saddened to learn of the immense loss of life and destruction caused by the flooding in the eastern part of Libya.”
The pope “sends the assurance of his prayers for the souls of the deceased and all who mourn,” said the telegram, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
“His Holiness also expresses heartfelt spiritual closeness to the injured, to those who fear for their missing loved ones, and to the emergency personnel providing rescue and relief assistance,” the document said.
“Upon all affected by this tragedy, Pope Francis willingly invokes the divine blessings of consolation, strength, and perseverance.”
By Tuesday morning a global relief effort was underway. Georgette Gagnon, the assistant secretary-general, resident, and humanitarian coordinator for the United Nations’ relief mission in Libya, said on Twitter that she had “tasked the emergency response team to prepare to support local authorities and partners in eastern Libya.”
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, meanwhile, said on Facebook that responders were “working around the clock to provide aid and support” to those affected by the storm.