O Pope Leo XIV sent a message of solidarity to Portugal following the passage of the Kristin depression, which left a trail of destruction in several regions of the country and caused several fatalities. In the note, the Supreme Pontiff expresses regret for the human losses and grants a “comforting apostolic blessing”, invoking Our Lady of Fátima.
The message was transmitted through the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Parolin, and addressed to D. José Ornelas, bishop of Leiria-Fátima. In it, the Pope expresses “his sorrow for the people who lost their lives, spiritually uniting with the pain of their families”.
According to Cardinal Parolin, Leo XIV also assures his prayers for the authorities and civil, military and religious institutions involved in the relief operations, stating that he feels “very closely the situation of the injured, the displaced and all those who were seriously affected” by the storm.
In the same message, the Secretary of State states that the Pope “pleads with God” for the “balm of solidarity and the light of Christian hope”, granting, through the intercession of Our Lady of Fátima, an apostolic blessing to the affected populations.
Depression Kristin caused significant damage across the country, with wind gusts exceeding 200 kilometers per hour. The Leiria region was the most affected, with trees and structures falling, thousands of homes without electricity and water, as well as the closure of several schools. At least six people lost their lives.
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