Pope again prays for Maui victims, makes appeal for migration reform

August 14, 2023 at 2:56 p.m.
Smoke obscures an old courthouse Aug. 9, 2023, as wildfires driven by high winds destroy a large part of the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. OSV News photo/Dustin Johnson, Handout via Reuters
Smoke obscures an old courthouse Aug. 9, 2023, as wildfires driven by high winds destroy a large part of the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. OSV News photo/Dustin Johnson, Handout via Reuters (Dustin Johnson)

By CINDY WOODEN
Osv News

VATICAN CITY CNS – After leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer Aug. 13, Pope Francis again assured the people of Hawaii of his prayers.

With some 15,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray with him, the Pope said he was praying "for the victims of the fires that have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui."

    Smoke obscures an old courthouse Aug. 9, 2023, as wildfires driven by high winds destroy a large part of the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. OSV News photo/Dustin Johnson, Handout via Reuters
 Dustin Johnson 
 
 


The official death toll from the fires had risen to 96 Aug. 13 and the number was expected to increase as the search through burned out rubble continued.

In his public prayers and appeals after reciting the Angelus, Pope Francis also made a strong appeal for serious efforts at immigration reform after 41 migrants were reported to have drowned in the Mediterranean in early August.

"Another tragic shipwreck happened a few days ago in the Mediterranean – 41 people lost their lives," the Pope said. "I have prayed for them."

Four migrants from Africa were rescued by a merchant ship and brought to the Italian island of Lampedusa Aug. 9. They said they were on a boat carrying 45 people that capsized off the coast of Tunisia; using inner tubes and other makeshift flotation devices, they reached an abandoned boat adrift, only to discover it had no motor. They were rescued by a cargo ship and transferred to the custody of the Italian coast guard.

"Sadly and shamefully," Pope Francis said, "we must say that since the beginning of the year, almost 2,000 men, women and children have already died trying to reach Europe. This is an open wound on our humanity."

The Pope said he wanted to offer his encouragement and support to "the political and diplomatic powers that are trying to heal this in a spirit of solidarity and fraternity," and he praised "the dedication of all those who are working to prevent shipwrecks and are aiding migrants."

Pope Francis also used the occasion to offer his support to a pilgrimage for peace Aug. 14, the eve of the feast of the Assumption, in Cameroon, which is "still afflicted by violence and war."

"Let us unite ourselves in prayer for our brothers and sisters of Cameroon so that, through the Mary's intercession, God might sustain the hope of the people who have been suffering for years, and open paths of dialogue so that peace and harmony might be achieved," the Pope said.

Since 2016, militias in with the country's two English-speaking regions have been fighting to break away and form a new nation they call Ambazonia.

Also Aug. 12, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, sent a message of condolence and concern to the archbishop of Quito, Ecuador, after the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

"In the face of the suffering caused by the unjustifiable violence, which he condemns unreservedly, His Holiness calls upon all citizens and political forces to unite in a common effort for peace," the cardinal said.



VATICAN CITY CNS – After leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer Aug. 13, Pope Francis again assured the people of Hawaii of his prayers.

With some 15,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray with him, the Pope said he was praying "for the victims of the fires that have devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui."

    Smoke obscures an old courthouse Aug. 9, 2023, as wildfires driven by high winds destroy a large part of the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. OSV News photo/Dustin Johnson, Handout via Reuters
 Dustin Johnson 
 
 


The official death toll from the fires had risen to 96 Aug. 13 and the number was expected to increase as the search through burned out rubble continued.

In his public prayers and appeals after reciting the Angelus, Pope Francis also made a strong appeal for serious efforts at immigration reform after 41 migrants were reported to have drowned in the Mediterranean in early August.

"Another tragic shipwreck happened a few days ago in the Mediterranean – 41 people lost their lives," the Pope said. "I have prayed for them."

Four migrants from Africa were rescued by a merchant ship and brought to the Italian island of Lampedusa Aug. 9. They said they were on a boat carrying 45 people that capsized off the coast of Tunisia; using inner tubes and other makeshift flotation devices, they reached an abandoned boat adrift, only to discover it had no motor. They were rescued by a cargo ship and transferred to the custody of the Italian coast guard.

"Sadly and shamefully," Pope Francis said, "we must say that since the beginning of the year, almost 2,000 men, women and children have already died trying to reach Europe. This is an open wound on our humanity."

The Pope said he wanted to offer his encouragement and support to "the political and diplomatic powers that are trying to heal this in a spirit of solidarity and fraternity," and he praised "the dedication of all those who are working to prevent shipwrecks and are aiding migrants."

Pope Francis also used the occasion to offer his support to a pilgrimage for peace Aug. 14, the eve of the feast of the Assumption, in Cameroon, which is "still afflicted by violence and war."

"Let us unite ourselves in prayer for our brothers and sisters of Cameroon so that, through the Mary's intercession, God might sustain the hope of the people who have been suffering for years, and open paths of dialogue so that peace and harmony might be achieved," the Pope said.

Since 2016, militias in with the country's two English-speaking regions have been fighting to break away and form a new nation they call Ambazonia.

Also Aug. 12, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, sent a message of condolence and concern to the archbishop of Quito, Ecuador, after the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

"In the face of the suffering caused by the unjustifiable violence, which he condemns unreservedly, His Holiness calls upon all citizens and political forces to unite in a common effort for peace," the cardinal said.


Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


La celebración anual de la Antorcha de Guadalupe termina con una procesión en Lakewood
La celebración de las Antorchas Guadalupanas comenzó seis...

Preparando el camino para el Mesías
El tiempo de Adviento, tiempo de gozosa anticipación...

Preparing the way for the Messiah
It’s a sacred opportunity to reflect on ...

All About Hope: This Christmas and throughout Holy Year, Catholics called to reflect hope to a weary world
Just like the sentiments of JOY, LOVE and CHARITY … the feeling of HOPE ...

Fraternal Gathering
Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., took the opportunity to ...


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2024 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.