Pope Leo XIV appealed for urgent international support following severe storms that have caused catastrophic loss of life and widespread destruction across South and Southeast Asia. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace during the Sunday Angelus, he expressed closeness to communities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam as they confront the impact of overlapping monsoon systems and tropical storms that have battered the region since mid November. Reports indicate that flooding and landslides have claimed up to sixteen hundred lives, while millions more face disrupted livelihoods as homes, roads, farms and public infrastructure have been submerged or washed away. The Pope emphasized that the suffering experienced by families mourning their loved ones and by those forced from their homes requires a unified response rooted in compassion and responsibility. He offered prayers for the deceased, the grieving and the rescue teams working tirelessly to reach affected areas where conditions remain unstable due to ongoing rainfall.
In his remarks, Pope Leo encouraged the global community to demonstrate solidarity by supporting humanitarian efforts aimed at providing relief and rebuilding essential services. International organizations, including United Nations teams, are already deployed across the region to assist government led operations. However, as the crisis continues to evolve, observers caution that the scale of devastation may exceed initial estimates. The pontiff reiterated that generosity from nations and individuals alike plays a crucial role in ensuring that vulnerable communities receive assistance capable of addressing both immediate needs and long term recovery. His appeal underscored the Church’s longstanding commitment to accompany populations facing environmental hardship and to advocate for responses that place human dignity and resilience at the center of rebuilding efforts. As the season of Advent invites reflection on hope, the Pope encouraged believers to remember those whose lives have been disrupted by these disasters and to extend practical support wherever possible.
During the Angelus address, Pope Leo also reflected briefly on his recent visit to Turkey and Lebanon, describing both experiences as reminders of coexistence, dialogue and shared responsibility in regions marked by cultural and religious diversity. He recalled his encounters with Turkey’s small Catholic community and praised their perseverance in bearing witness through patient dialogue and service. Marking the sixtieth anniversary of the Joint Declaration between Pope Saint Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, he invited Christians to renew their commitment to unity, noting that the historical moment continues to inspire ecumenical collaboration today. These reflections, placed alongside his appeal for Southeast Asia, highlighted the Pope’s broader vision of global solidarity grounded in peace, cooperation and spiritual fraternity. His words offered a reminder that crises and celebrations alike call for a renewed dedication to the well being of others, particularly those most affected by natural disasters and instability.
