Scene from the explosion near the port of Beirut, Lebanon on Tuesday  (AFP or licensors)

Pope Francis prays for victims of Lebanon explosion

At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis prays for victims of a massive explosion in Beirut on Tuesday, which killed dozens and caused serious destruction.

By Vatican News

During the weekly General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis prayed for Lebanon in the aftermath of the explosion in Beirut on Tuesday.

"Yesterday in Beirut, near the port, there were massive explosions causing dozens of deaths, wounding thousands and causing serious destruction," said the Pope.

“Let us pray for the victims, for their families; and let us pray for Lebanon so that, through the dedication of all its social, political and religious elements, it might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing,” the Pope prayed.

Lebanon is in mourning after a massive explosion ripped through its capital Beirut and surrounding areas on Tuesday evening, killing at least 100 people and injuring thousands, with many feared still trapped under rubble.

According to local authorities, the explosion was caused by tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse in the port of Lebanon’s capital.