Pope Francis has asked the faithful to pray for him in a special way, and expressed his closeness to those affected by a deadly tornado in the Czech Republic.
By Devin Watkins
As the Church prepares to celebrate the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul on Tuesday, 29 June, Pope Francis invited Catholics to pray for the Bishop of Rome.
“Pray in a special way,” he said at the Angelus on Sunday. “The Pope needs your prayers! Thank you. I know that you will do so.”
The Pope’s appeal for prayers came as dioceses around the world take up a special collection for Peter’s Pence.
The annual collection for the Pope’s charity is used to support his service to the Churches throughout the world.
Peter’s Pence goes both toward directly helping the faithful in various parts of the world and toward assisting the Church through the work of the Roman Curia.
Tornado in Czech Republic
At the Angelus, Pope Francis also prayed for people in the southeast of the Czech Republic, where a deadly tornado ripped through several villages.
At least 5 people were killed in the storm, and over 150 injured. Thursday’s nights tornado left thousands without a home.
“I pray for the dead, the wounded, and for those who have had to leave their seriously-damaged homes,” said the Pope.
