Pope Leo XIV expressed his sorrow on Thursday, August 27, for the victims of the devastating flash floods that have struck Nepal, where at least 270 people have died and 826 remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue. The disaster was triggered on Wednesday in the border region with Tibet, after a glacial collapse caused a massive surge of water, mud, and debris that descended through the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli, and Narayani river systems.
In a telegram sent on behalf of the Pontiff and signed by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Leo XIV commends the souls of the deceased to God, conveys his condolences to the families, and assures his spiritual closeness to all those affected. The Pope also prays for the emergency personnel involved in rescue efforts hindered by the destruction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Among the missing are residents, members of the security forces, and hundreds of Nepalese and foreign tourists.
The flood entered Nepal from the Tibetan side around 9:05 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the technical assessment of the Flood Forecasting Division. The torrent first reached the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa District and then advanced toward the Trishuli and Narayani rivers, spreading destruction to numerous downstream districts.
Nepalese authorities continue to deploy rescue teams as the search for the missing and the transport of the injured goes on. Among the 826 people still unaccounted for are members of the Army, the Police, and the Armed Police, as well as 644 tourists, 517 of them foreign, according to the latest official figures cited by the Nepalese press.
Below is the full telegram from the Holy Father:
HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV HAS RECEIVED WITH SADNESS THE NEWS OF THE LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE AND THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY THE FLASH FLOODS IN NEPAL. COMMENDING THE SOULS OF THE DECEASED TO THE MERCY OF THE ALMIGHTY, HIS HOLINESS EXTENDS HIS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THOSE WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES, ALONG WITH THE ASSURANCE OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY. HE ALSO OFFERS HIS PRAYERS FOR THE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL PARTICIPATING IN THE ONGOING RESCUE EFFORTS AND INVOKES DIVINE ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION UPON ALL.
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
Secretary of State