Pope Leo prays for victims of devastating Nepal floods

Mt Kailash - Photo by Nils Leonhardt on Unsplash

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of life and widespread devastation caused by flash floods in Nepal.

In a telegram sent on Thursday and signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope commended the souls of those who died "to the clemency of the Almighty" and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved.

He also assured all those affected by the disaster of his spiritual closeness and prayed for the emergency personnel engaged in the ongoing search-and-rescue operations.

The telegram concluded with the Pope's prayers for God's assistance and protection upon the people of Nepal.

More than 350 people are known to have died in Nepal, while more than 1,400 remain unaccounted for after a devastating torrent of water, mud and debris swept through communities near the country's northern border with China. Unfortunately, the death toll is expected to rise as bodies are recovered from under the debris. Hundreds more are missing in neighbouring Tibet.

The disaster is believed to have been triggered by the collapse of part of a Himalayan glacier, which sent a sudden surge into a river system along the Nepal-China border. Scientists said the force of the collapse was so great that the resulting tremors were initially mistaken for an earthquake.

Entire settlements were inundated, while roads, bridges, power installations and other essential infrastructure were destroyed or severely damaged. The floods also struck a major border crossing, cutting off transport and trade routes.

Many of those missing are foreign visitors who had travelled to the region on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, sites considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of the Bon religion.

Thousands of soldiers, police officers and emergency workers have been deployed across the affected areas. Helicopters are being used to reach isolated communities, evacuate survivors and deliver food, medical supplies and other forms of emergency assistance.

Operations are being complicated by damaged roads, difficult mountainous terrain and the continuing danger of landslides and further flooding.

International aid has begun to arrive, with neighbouring countries, the United Nations and humanitarian organisations offering personnel, supplies and financial assistance.

The tragedy has also renewed concerns about the growing threat posed by glacial instability in the Himalayas, where rising temperatures are accelerating the melting and retreat of glaciers.