VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Leo XIV urged prayers for all the victims of the devastating Texas floods on Sunday, as the death toll from the flash flooding continues to climb.

Speaking in English at the close of his Sunday Angelus address July 6, Leo XIV expressed his closeness to all those affected by the flooding Guadalupe River in central Texas.

“I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters, who were at the summer camp, in the disaster caused by flooding of the Guadalupe river in Texas in the United States. We pray for them,” he stated.

Pope Leo urges prayer for all the victims of the Texas flood, closing his Angelus today:

“I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters, who were at the summer camp, in the disaster caused by flooding of… pic.twitter.com/BiRop9fJ8x

— Michael Haynes 🇻🇦 (@MLJHaynes) July 6, 2025

As of time of publication the death toll stands at 81 people, following the catastrophic heavy rainfall and consequent flooding in the early hours of Friday morning, local time.

Some 10 inches of rain is believed to have fallen in a matter of a few hours, and video clips posted to social media show the dramatic rise in water levels in the rivers.

Timelapse flooding of the Llano River on July 4th pic.twitter.com/59Tnn6NZG7

— Rob Dew (@DewsNewz) July 5, 2025

Search efforts have been especially highlighted at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls summer camp where a number of young girls were staying. So far there are 28 children numbered among the fatalities, while reports state that 10 girls and a counsellor from the camp remain unaccounted for.

Two young girls were found dead in each others arms, holding their rosaries, after flood waters washed them some 15 miles down from their grandparents house at which they had been staying. Family members described the water levels rising around “one foot per minute.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced federal support for victims of the floods in Kerr County, with over 1,500 personnel deployed in the state to assist in rescue operations.

He also declared July 6 a day of prayer in the state following the floods. “Texans are known for their faith, strength, and resilience,” he said. “Even as floodwaters raged, neighbors rushed in to rescue, comfort, and bring hope. In times of loss, we turn to God for comfort, healing, and strength. I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday – for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines.”

Rescue operations continue and the death toll from the floods has continued to rise overnight.