HOLY FATHER "SPIRITUALLY CLOSE" TO ALGERIA'S FLOOD VICTIMS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 14, 2001 (VIS) - At the end of the weekly audience catechesis in Italian, and summaries in five other languages, in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father told the pilgrims present that his "thoughts go to the very dear populations of Algeria, recently struck by a flood that caused thousands of victims and left many families homeless."

The Pope continued: "While I entrust to the merciful goodness of God all those who so tragically died, I express my spiritual closeness to their families and to all who are suffering because of this serious calamity. May there be no lack of solidarity and concrete support by the international community for these brothers and sisters of ours, who have been so sorely tested."

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