Pope Francis, Argentine bishops express solidarity with flood victims
People gather on a flooded street after a powerful storm struck the city of Bahia Blanca, 373 miles south of Argentina’s capital, on March 7, 2025. / Credit: PABLO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images
ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 11, 2025 / 13:45 pm (CNA).
Pope Francis and the Catholic Church in Argentina expressed their solidarity with flood victims in the city of Bahía Blanca located in Buenos Aires province.
In addition to prayers, the Catholic Church in Argentina has sent material aid to Bahía Blanca, which suffered severe flooding on Friday after 16 inches of rain fell in just a few hours. So far, 16 fatalities have been reported, more than 900 people have been evacuated, and significant damage has been reported.
In a Monday telegram, Pope Francis sent a message of hope and solidarity to the hard-hit community through Archbishop Carlos Azpiroz Costa, OP, of Bahía Blanca.
“Saddened to learn of the natural disaster that is affecting the region of Bahía Blanca, which has [resulted in] so many victims and material damage, I offer fervent prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased,” the Holy Father said in his message.
He also assured his spiritual closeness to the population, beseeching the Lord “to grant comfort to the bereaved and to all those who are suffering in these moments of pain and uncertainty” and prayed that the Lord would also “sustain with his grace” all those committed to searching for the missing and undertaking “the arduous process of rebuilding the devastated areas.”
Finally, Pope Francis assured his prayers to Our Lady of Mercy, that she may intercede for those affected, and sent his apostolic blessing.
The executive committee of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference said it shared “the pain and uncertainty of our brothers and sisters from Bahía Blanca, asking the Lord to alleviate the anguish of those who have been affected in different ways.”
They also prayed that the Lord would “strengthen the volunteers in their dedication to care for the lives of their brothers and sisters” and prayed for the intercession of Our Lady of Mercy, patroness of the Archdiocese of Bahía Blanca.
Azpiroz and his auxiliary bishop, Pedro Fournau, addressed the people “in these hours of anguish” that the city is going through.
“We want to be at the side of those who are suffering the most from the consequences of the storm: to assure our prayers for each of the victims of this flood and to be close to those who have lost a loved one, those who still cannot find the whereabouts of a family member, or those who have seen their homes flooded and have had to evacuate,” they said.
The bishops asked God to grant comfort and “sustain everyone’s spirit to stay afloat together” and encouraged the population to trust in the Lord and offer him “all the pain, uncertainty, fear, or helplessness” in their hearts.
They also urged “mutual compassionate help” at this time. “In the midst of the storm, we want to say with you: We are not alone, God walks with us and never abandons us!” they exclaimed.
Caritas Argentina immediately launched a campaign to address the emergency. A donation can be made at this link.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.