Pope Francis has called on Catholics to pray for the victims of bad weather in Britain, the United States and South America, especially Paraguay. Many parts of northern Britain have been badly hit by flooding over the Christmas period, and parts of north America have experienced devastating tornadoes, with over 40 people killed in the south, south west and midwest. Flooding has spread across south America, including Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, but Paraguay has been the hardest hit. Over 150,000 people have been driven from their homes, and there have been a number of fatalities. The south American floods have been blamed on the El Nino weather phenomenon, said to be the worst in over 15 years. “I invite everyone to pray for the victims of the calamities which in these days have befallen the United States, Great Britain, and South America – particularly Paraguay,” said Pope Francis. The Pope was speaking at the end of his catechetical reflection during the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday. “May the Lord give comfort to all these peoples, and may fraternal solidarity aid them in their need,” Pope Francis prayed.