Pope Leo offers condolences for Texas floods victims during Sunday prayer

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday (July 6) offered his condolences for the flooding victims in Texas, in his native United States, during the traditional weekly prayer held in Vatican City.

At least 43 people, including 15 children, have been confirmed dead following the disaster, authorities said on Saturday (July 5) as rescuers continued a frantic search for dozens more campers, vacationers and residents who were still missing.

The pontiff addressed his thoughts "to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters who were at summer camp," he said as he asked to pray for them.

Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian girls camp, had 700 girls in residence at the time of the flood, according to Texas Lieutenant Governor, Dan Patrick.

In his message to the crowds gathered in St Peter's Square, the pope also renewed his call for peace, urging global leaders to "replace the violence of weapons with the pursuit of dialogue."

READ: Rescuers search for missing girls as Texas flood death toll hits 50

On Sunday afternoon, Leo will travel to Castel Gandolfo, a sleepy hill town of about 8,900 residents on the shores of Lake Albano, on the outskirts of Rome, where he will spend a two-week summer break.

While he is expected to spend most of his vacation out of the public eye, staying in a Vatican-owned building behind a gated wall, residents and tourists will have the opportunity to see him at religious celebrations on July 13 and 20.

(Production: Matteo Negri)