Pope offers condolences to families of US tornado victims

Pope Francis on Monday offered condolences and prayers to those who lost family members in tornadoes in the U.S.

The pontiff said he was praying for the people impacted by “this immense tragedy” and that he was saddened to hear about it. He also said he was grateful “for the tireless efforts of the rescue workers and all those engaged in caring for the injured, the grieving families and all those left homeless,” Reuters reported.

The pope’s message was sent to Archbishop Jose Gomez, who serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and came from the Vatican’s secretary of State, according to the news service.

After tornadoes ripped through six states in the South and Midwest, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) made a formal request for the federal government to declare a “major disaster.” Beshear said over 100 people were feared to be dead after the storm and more than 1,000 homes were possibly destroyed.

On Sunday, President Biden allocated federal funds to Kentucky by approving a disaster declaration for the state. 

“I want folks in all these states to know we’re going to get through this. We’re going to get through this together and the federal government is not going to walk away,” Biden said on Saturday, speaking about the “tragedy.”

“This is one of those times when we aren’t Democrats or Republicans. Sounds like hyperbole, but it’s real. We’re all Americans,” the president added.