Pope Francis has assured victims of Storm Boris of his closeness, saying at the weekly General Audience that he is praying especially for those who have lost their lives and for their families, according to Vatican News.

At least 21 people have been killed as heavy rain and snows have caused extensive damage in Austria, Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, and other central and eastern European nations.

Thousands of people have been evacuated in areas affected by the storms, with Poland’s prime minister declaring a month-long state of emergency. The Polish city of Wroclaw, with a population of more than 600,000 people, is expected to see flooding on Wednesday, while Bratislava and Budapest, the capitals respectively of Slovakia and Hungary, are bracing for rising waters on the Danube River.

In his remarks during the Audience, Pope Francis praised and encouraged local Catholic communities and other volunteer organizations for the aid they are providing to those in need.