Pope Leo XIV Prays for the Victims of the Nepal Floods as the Death Toll Rises to 392

Pope Leo XIV Prays for Victims of Devastating Nepal Floods

Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep sorrow following catastrophic flash floods along the Nepal-China border, offering his spiritual closeness to those affected and praying for rescue teams searching for hundreds of missing individuals.

In a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved, commended the deceased to God's mercy, and invoked divine protection over the nation.

TELEGRAM FULL TEXT: His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was saddened to learn of the loss of life and devastation caused by the flash floods in Nepal. Commending the souls of the deceased to the clemency of the Almighty, His Holiness sends heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved, together with the assurance of his spiritual closeness to those affected by this tragedy. Likewise offering prayers for the emergency personnel engaged in the ongoing rescue efforts, he invokes upon all divine assistance and protection.

Mass Casualties and Missing Pilgrims The disaster has claimed over 392 lives in Nepal, with more than 900 people missing. In neighboring Tibet, hundreds more remain unaccounted for, bringing the regional total of missing persons to nearly 1,500. Officials expect the death toll to climb as search teams clear debris. Many of those missing are foreign pilgrims traveling to sacred sites including Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.

Glacial Collapse Triggers Torrent The flash flood was caused by a partial collapse of a Himalayan glacier, which unleashed a massive surge of water, mud, and debris into the river system. The impact was so severe that initial tremors registered similarly to an earthquake. Entire villages were inundated, and critical infrastructure—including roads, bridges, power grids, and a primary border crossing—was destroyed.

Rescue Efforts and Climate Concerns Thousands of military and emergency personnel are conducting rescue operations using helicopters to air-drop food and medical supplies to isolated communities. Damaged transit routes, treacherous terrain, and ongoing landslide risks continue to hinder relief work. International aid organizations and neighboring countries are providing financial and logistical assistance.

The catastrophe has renewed urgent warnings from scientists regarding climate-driven glacial instability and rapid ice retreat across the Himalayas.

Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-08/pope-leo-prays-for-victims-of-devastating-nepal-floods.html