After a deadly twister tore across parts of Mississippi and Alabama, Pope Francis offered prayers for those affected by the natural disaster. His plea came in conjunction with his latest prayer for Ukraine.

“Let us continue to pray for the tormented Ukrainian people, and let us stay close also to the earthquake victims of Turkey and Syria,” the pontiff said in a tweet. “Let us also pray for the population of the state of Mississippi, struck by a devastating tornado. Let’s #PrayTogether”

The devastating tornado cut a swath across Mississippi and Alabama on Friday night. The tornado caused extensive destruction in the Mississippi Delta region, resulting in at least 26 fatalities and leaving behind massive amounts of debris. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) told media representatives that the death toll is likely to increase, Catholic News Agency reported.

According to reports in the Clarion Ledger, at least 25 people that have died were in Mississippi, making the tornado that hit the state on March 24 the deadliest in at least 50 years.

However, there are still people missing. The damage caused by the tornado is mainly concentrated in the small towns of Silver City and Rolling Fork, with drone footage showing the widespread destruction, Catholic News Agency reported.

"We pray for those who are desperately trying to reach loved ones and unable to reach them, as well as those still seeking safety who are missing as a result of the storms," Bishop Joseph Kopacz, bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, said in a statement. "We give thanks and pray for first responders, who are working tirelessly in affected communities trying to reach those missing, restore power and assist those surviving. I encourage all to continue to pray and find ways to support all affected communities. We will be reaching out through our Catholic Charities Disaster Response team to assist in recovery efforts."