Pope Francis on June 30, 2019, prayed for those suffering in Europe’s record heat – and added his hope that workers will get some rest during the summer.

His remarks came after praying the noonday Angelus with the crowd in St. Peter’s Square. Despite high heat and humidity, thousands of pilgrims from around the world gathered in the square to see the Holy Father, many of them using umbrellas to shield them from the sun.

“On this last day of June, I hope all workers will be able to have a period of rest during the summer, which is good for them and for their families,” the Pope said. “I pray for all those that, in these days, have greatly suffered the consequences of the heat: the sick, the elderly, persons that have to work in the open air, in construction sites . . . May no one be abandoned or exploited.”

In recent days, record high temperatures have been set in five European countries, according to the Weather Channel. Deaths from the heat have been reported in France, Italy, and Spain.

