Kathmandu – “We are deeply grateful to the Holy Father for remembering Nepal at this time of crisis, for praying for us and for promising his support in helping the flood victims.” Father Silas Bogati, Apostolic Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal, told Fides, commenting on Pope Leo XIV’s message of closeness and prayer for the people affected by the devastating floods that struck Nepal and the Himalayan areas bordering Tibet in recent days.
“Although the Church in Nepal is small, with around 10,000 Catholics, the Holy Father’s concern for the people of Nepal has deeply touched and moved us,” Father Bogati continued.
In a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, Leo XIV expressed his sorrow for the victims and the devastation caused by the floods. The Pope entrusted the souls of those who died to God’s mercy, offered his condolences to the bereaved families and assured all those affected of his “spiritual closeness.” He also assured his prayers for the personnel involved in rescue operations and invoked divine protection upon all.
The death toll from the disaster continues to rise: according to the latest available figures, at least 469 people have died in Nepal, while more than 1,500 are reported missing across Nepal and Tibet. Authorities have also warned of the risk of further flooding due to a lake that has formed upstream as a result of accumulated debris.
“Among those missing are local residents, pilgrims and tourists,” Father Bogati told Fides. “We fear that some Catholics who were working in these areas may also have been swept away by the floodwaters. No Catholic church has been affected by the flooding,” he added.
“Caritas Nepal is already active and working to provide assistance to the victims,” he said. “We are already there,” he reiterated. Caritas Nepal’s network, which operates through programs that focus on emergency management, healthcare and support for vulnerable communities, is engaged in relief efforts for the affected population. “We pray and work so that those affected can receive the assistance they need,” he concluded.
Rescue operations continue in the worst-hit areas. The Nepalese authorities have mobilized the army, police, helicopters and specialized teams to search for those missing and deliver aid to communities that have been cut off. The destruction of roads and bridges, however, is making access to some of the affected areas particularly difficult. The Nepalese government has also set up an emergency unit to coordinate search operations and provide assistance to foreign nationals affected by the disaster.
The fate of numerous foreign pilgrims who were in the region travelling to or returning from Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet is particularly tragic. Kailash is considered sacred in several Asian religious traditions: for Hindus, it is associated with the abode of Shiva and Parvati, while in Tibetan Buddhism it is identified with Mount Meru, the symbolic centre of the universe. The pilgrimage around the mountain, which covers approximately 52 kilometres, normally takes three days and represents for many devotees a journey of prayer, purification and spiritual renewal.
According to figures released by the authorities, those reported missing include pilgrims and tourists from India, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ukraine and other countries. The disaster has struck one of the main routes linking Kathmandu with Tibet and one of the routes used by pilgrims travelling towards Kailash.
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