After violent storms battered central Portugal, damaging homes, infrastructure, and parts of the Fátima region, Pope Leo XIV sent a message of solidarity to the country, expressing closeness to families mourning the dead and to all those affected by the disaster.
In a letter published on January 30, 2026, and addressed to José Ornelas Carvalho, bishop of Leiria-Fátima, the Pope said he was “deeply touched by the distress of the injured, the displaced, and all those gravely affected by the considerable damage” caused by Storm Kristin.
He united himself “spiritually with the grief of the families” of the six people who lost their lives.
Storm Kristin struck Portugal during the night of January 27–28, unleashing winds exceeding 200 km/h in some areas and triggering severe flooding across the center of the country.
According to Portugal’s civil protection authorities, the storm caused widespread power outages, leaving an estimated 450,000 homes temporarily without electricity.
Roads were blocked, public transport disrupted, and emergency services stretched thin as crews responded to fallen trees, collapsed structures, and rising waters.
Storm Damage Update — Shrine of Fátima
What was damaged
During the severe storms that hit Portugal in late January 2026, strong winds caused dozens of trees to fall across the sanctuary grounds.
Some minor damage was reported to auxiliary infrastructure and service areas, and cleanup and repairs began immediately after the storm.
What was not damaged
The heart of the shrine was spared. The Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, including the Chapel of the Apparitions, remained intact and fully accessible.
The main basilicas and principal devotional spaces were not affected, and regular liturgical life continued without interruption.
Current situation
Pilgrim access has remained open, and the sanctuary has continued to welcome visitors while restoration and maintenance work proceeds in the surrounding grounds.
The Diocese of Leiria-Fátima — home to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites — was among the regions most affected.
While the sanctuary itself avoided catastrophic damage, surrounding areas experienced flooding and wind damage that underscored the vulnerability of local communities during extreme weather events.
In his message, Pope Leo XIV described being struck by the “particularly devastated landscape” left in the storm’s wake. Beyond offering condolences, he expressed gratitude for the coordinated efforts of national and local authorities and prayed for institutions working to bring relief.
He also singled out the role of ordinary citizens, thanking Portuguese Catholics and acknowledging “the spontaneous solidarity shown by so many people” as neighbors helped neighbors in the immediate aftermath.
The Pope concluded by imparting his apostolic blessing to all those affected, invoking the intercession of Our Lady of Fátima, a figure deeply woven into Portugal’s spiritual and cultural identity.
For many Portuguese Catholics, that reference carried particular weight: Fátima is not only a pilgrimage destination but a symbol of hope during moments of national trial.
Portuguese media have reported that Storm Kristin is part of a broader pattern of intense Atlantic weather systems affecting southern Europe this winter, raising renewed questions about preparedness and climate resilience.
Church sources, meanwhile, emphasized that parishes in affected areas have opened their doors to assist displaced families and to coordinate aid with local charities.