hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406
A vehicle is seen near the burning remains of a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, April 18, after an explosion there the previous day. Rescue workers searched rubble for survivors of the plant explosion in a small town near Waco that killed as many as 15 people and injured more than 160 others.
A vehicle is seen near the burning remains of a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, April 18, after an explosion there the previous day. Rescue workers searched rubble for survivors of the plant explosion in a small town near Waco that killed as many as 15 people and injured more than 160 others. CNS photo/Mike Stone, Reuters

Pope calls for prayers for victims of Texas factory explosion

By  Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
  • April 18, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis called for prayers for the victims of a deadly explosion in Texas.

In a short message sent from his @Pontifex Twitter account, the pope told the more than 2.3 million followers on his English account to "Please join me in praying for the victims of the explosion in Texas and their families."

A massive explosion ripped through a fertilizer plant about 75 miles south of Dallas the evening of April 17, killing at least five people and wounding more than 160 others. The number of casualties was expected to rise, authorities said.

The blast leveled dozens of homes nearby and seriously damaged other buildings, including a nursing home. Nearly half of the town's 2,800 residents were forced to evacuate over fears that another fertilizer tank might explode and because of the danger posed by the chemicals' noxious fumes.

Tagged under:

Related items

More in this category: « Nigerian bishops: Government should be wary of amnesty for Boko Haram Drop debate over arming Syria; forge efforts for peace, says patriarch »

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE