SW News: Torrential rains that caused floods and landslides in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region in the north have left fourteen people dead and forced hundreds more to flee their homes. In a telegram of condolences, Pope Francis conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the suffering and those impacted by the terrible weather.

The telegram of the Holy Father was received by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, on Thursday from Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the Vatican's Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

According to news agency Reuters, rivers burst their banks, flooding cities and covering hundreds of acres of farmland. This calamity is the most recent example of the increasingly destructive storms and extreme weather plaguing the world due to the climate crisis.

The Pope prayed for God's comfort for the injured and sympathy for those experiencing the effects of the grave calamity while assuring them of his sincere prayers for the deceased and his condolences to their families.

The pontiff expressed his gratitude to diocesan communities for their manifestation of communion and fraternal closeness to the most-tried populations as well as to all those who, despite tremendous hardship, are laboring to offer relief and alleviate all suffering.

In a final gesture of extra spiritual intimacy, the Holy Father blessed everyone with his Apostolic Blessing. Catholic aid agency Caritas has been assisting the suffering with humanitarian activities on the ground.

In a statement released on Thursday, Father Marco Pagniello, Director of Caritas Italiana, stated that they are working with the President of the Italian Episcopal Conference and the Bishops of the most affected Dioceses to get an updated picture of the situation and to jointly identify the first needs that need to be addressed.

The statement said that the diocesan Caritas directors in the worst-affected regions, including Cesena, Forl, Faenza, and Imola, describe a chaotic scenario in which it is necessary to remove water and clean homes that have been submerged in mud.

Many people are dying and significant damage is being done around the world as the deadly Italian rains strike havoc.