Pope prays for rain to end Europe fires, heatwave

Pope John Paul asked God yesterday to shower down rain on a scorched Europe, where fires have killed several dozen people and destroyed tens of thousands of acres.

The 83-year-old pope was speaking to hundreds of pilgrims and tourists who braved the heat and humidity and packed the courtyard of his summer residence south of Rome for one of his twice-weekly summer appearances.

"I ask you to join me in my prayer for the victims of this calamity and urge all of you to ask the Lord fervently to grant the thirsty Earth the coolness of rain," he said.

"Vast fires have broken out these days in several European nations, with particular intensity in Portugal, causing deaths and enormous damage to the environment."

"This is a worrying emergency which, fuelled by persistent drought but also by human responsibility, is threatening the environmental patrimony, which is a precious good for all humanity," he said.

The pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, appeared in relatively good condition and read his address clearly.

In Portugal alone, fires have killed 15 people and devastated huge areas of woodland.

Fires have also raged in several areas of Italy and officials say some of them were started deliberately.