Vatican City, Sep 20, 2017/)(:05 a.m. (CNA/EWTN News) -- On Wednesday, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the people of Mexico after they suffered a devastating earthquake Sept. 19, asking for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe for all those who have died or lost loved ones.
"Yesterday a terrible earthquake has devastated Mexico. I saw there are many Mexicans here today among you. It caused numerous victims and material damages," the pope said in Spanish after the General Audience Sept. 20. "In this moment of sorrow, I want to express my closeness and prayer to all the beloved Mexican population. Let us all raise our prayers together to God so that he may welcome into his bosom all those who have lost their lives, comfort the wounded, their families and all those affected."
He also asked for prayers for all military personnel and others who are helping those affected, and prayed for "our mother," Our Lady of Guadalupe, to be "close to the beloved Mexican nation."
Read the rest of the story from Catholic News Agency at http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-prays-for-mexico-during-this-moment-of-sorrow-13543/.
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also issued a statement Sept. 20 to the people of Mexico following the powerful earthquake. The cardinal called for prayers for those suffering for the catastrophic earthquake. Read Cardinal DiNardo's full statement at http://www.usccb.org/news/2017/17-168.cfm.