VATICAN CITY — As Hurricane Fiona swept across the Caribbean, leaving behind numerous victims and material destruction, Pope Francis called for greater solidarity in assisting all those affected.
In separate telegrams sent to the presidents of the bishops’ conferences of Puerto Rico and of the Dominican Republic Sept. 21, the pope assured them of his prayers, asking that God would offer his consolation to those suffering as a result of the natural disaster. The telegrams, written on behalf of the pope and signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, were sent to Bishop Rubén Antonio González Medina of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and Archbishop Freddy Antonio de Jesús Bretón Martínez of Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, the presidents of the conferences.
The pope was “deeply distressed to learn of the natural disasters that have struck” both countries due to Hurricane Fiona, the telegrams said. The hurricane touched down in Puerto Rico Sept. 18, causing massive flooding, wind damage, power outages and the shutdown of water service across a large part of the island, affecting millions of residents and leaving at least two people dead, officials said.
To assist those recovering from the hurricane, you can make an emergency donation directly to Catholic Charities USA (the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church) to help provide lifesaving resources. You may send a check to Catholic Charities USA, 2050 Ballenger Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314 marked Hurricane Fiona in the memo line or visit ccusa.online/hurricanefiona.
