Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday urged the international community to offer 8220;concrete support8221; to flood-ravaged Pakistan.
8220;My thoughts at this time go to the dear people of Pakistan,recently struck by serious floods that have claimed numerous victims and left many families homeless,8221; the pope said.
8220;Our brothers who are undergoing such a cruel ordeal must not lack the solidarity and concrete support of the international community,8221; he urged during his weekly audience at his summer residence outside Rome.
The floods have affected some 20 million people and claimed at least 1,400 lives in Pakistan8217;s worst-ever natural disaster.
The United Nations8217; aid coordination body said that more than 650,000 homeless families were still without basic shelter.