Pope Francis Calls For Solidarity For Hurricane-Battered Haiti & Two Weeks Later Violent Prison Break 170 Inmates Escape

Pope calls for solidarity for hurricane-battered Haiti

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has appealed for concrete solidarity for the victims of Hurricane Matthew that has killed more than 500 people in Haiti, left tens of thousands homeless, and is now moving up the east coast of Florida.

Meteorologists say Hurricane Matthew is the most powerful storm to batter the Caribbean in a decade.

A telegramme signed by the Vatican Secretary of State on behalf of the Holy Father says the Pope “expresses his sadness and joins in prayer with those who have lost loved ones”.

“Having learnt of the devastation wrought by the passage of Hurricane Matthew, which has claimed many lives and caused considerable damage” the telegrammed reads “the Holy Father expresses his condolences and assures the families of the victims his closeness while entrusting the deceased to the mercy of God”.

And while he assures the injured and all those who have lost their homes in the disaster of his spiritual closeness and love, Pope Francis calls for the concrete ‘implementation’ of solidarity [projects] to tackle the challenges facing Haiti.

The Pope concludes his message entrusting all Haitians to the maternal protection of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and imparts his Apostolic blessing.

The telegramme was addressed to Cardinal Chibly Langlois, President of the Haitian Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Les Cayes. Vatican Radio Read More>>>>>>

Two weeks later this happens:

Haiti prison break: 174 inmates escape after killing guard 

(CNN) A manhunt is underway after 174 inmates escaped from a prison in Haiti following a riot during which one guard was killed, authorities said. The prison break occurred at a facility in Arcahaie on Saturday, said Inspector Garry Derosiers, the national police spokesman. Of the more than 100 fugitives, a dozen have been captured, Derosiers said. The uprising was led by "heavily armed individuals," according to a statement from the Prime Minister's office. It's unclear how the prisoners broke out or who the armed individuals were.  CNN Read More>>>>>>