Vatican City: Pope Francis offers prayers for the victims of Cyclone Chido, which has caused widespread devastation and is feared to have claimed thousands of lives, while urging Polish pilgrims to remember Ukrainian refugees this Christmas season.

In his address to French-speaking attendees at this week’s General Audience, Pope Francis expressed his heartfelt prayers for the victims of the recent cyclone in the French Indian Ocean Territory of Mayotte. Cyclone Chido, which struck the region on Saturday, left behind immense destruction, with thousands feared dead.

Marc Bulteau from Secours Catholique, the French arm of Caritas, described the situation in Mayotte as “truly apocalyptic.” With a population of around 300,000, Mayotte is the European Union's poorest territory, where roughly a third of its residents live in makeshift slums—many of which have been completely destroyed.

During today’s General Audience, the Pope prayed that God would "grant rest to those who have lost their lives, provide necessary aid to those in need, and offer comfort to the grieving families."

In his message to Italian-speaking pilgrims, Pope Francis also called for peace in conflict zones, a recurring theme in his General Audience addresses. “Let us pray for peace,” he said. “Let us not forget the suffering of those affected by war: Palestine, Israel, and especially those enduring hardship in Ukraine and Myanmar.” He emphasized, “Let us ask the Prince of Peace, the Lord, to grant us this grace: peace in the world. War is always a defeat, always!”

Addressing Polish pilgrims, the Pope made a special appeal to remember and support Ukrainian refugees. He said, "On Christmas Eve, when you share the oplatek - Christmas bread, let this gesture of charity, peace, and forgiveness be a sign of your open hearts to all you meet. Please continue to remember especially the poor, the lonely, the victims of the floods, and our sisters and brothers from Ukraine."