By Edoardo Giribaldi 

Downed power lines, piles of debris, and vehicles submerged in muddy water are a few of the images coming out of Jamaica, in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

On Wednesday, 29 October, at the end of the General Audience, Pope Leo XIV’s thoughts went out to the Caribbean, hit by a storm of “catastrophic power” that has caused “violent flooding”.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba, near the town of Chivirico in the province of Santiago de Cuba, and has already left thousands of people displaced, and damaged homes and infrastructure, including several hospitals.

In his appeal, Pope Leo assured everyone of his closeness and said he is praying “for those who have lost their lives, for those who are fleeing and for those populations who, awaiting the storm’s developments, are experiencing hours of anxiety and concern”.

He went on to encourage civil authorities “to do everything possible”, and thanked Christian communities and volunteer organizations “for the relief they are providing”.