After praying for victims of the flooding in Libya at the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis also expressed his closeness to the people of Morocco.

“My thoughts also go to the noble Moroccan people who have suffered these movements of the earth, these earthquakes,” he said.

Thousands dead
Almost 3,000 people are known to have died in the 6.8-magnitude quake that struck the country on Friday, and more than 5,500 injuries have been reported.

Spain, Britain, and Qatar have sent teams to assist in rescue operations, but hopes of finding survivors are fading. Other countries, including Italy, Belgium, France, and Germany have also offered assistance.

Many of the victims reside in small villages in mountain areas that rescue and aid workers are struggling to reach.

In his remarks on Wednesday, Pope Francis urged prayers for Morocco and its inhabitants, asking that the Lord might give them “strength to recover after this terrible 'ambush' they have endured."