VATICAN CITY—Pope Benedict XVI says he is praying for the victims of Hurricane Sandy and expresses his solidarity to those working to clean up the damage.

The pope spoke to pilgrims as rain and wind pounded St. Peter's Square during his weekly public audience Wednesday.

He said he was "conscious of the devastation" to the east coast of the United States and that he offered "my prayers for the victims and I express my solidarity with all those engaged in the work of rebuilding."