Pope Leo XIV Calls for Prayers for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
Pope Leo XIV expressed his solidarity with the people of Venezuela during the Angelus prayer, as the country faced a rapidly rising death toll from two significant earthquakes. He addressed the situation by praying in S…
Pope Leo XIV expressed his solidarity with the people of Venezuela during the Angelus prayer, as the country faced a rapidly rising death toll from two significant earthquakes. He addressed the situation by praying in Spanish, calling on everyone to join in prayers for the victims and families affected.
In his comments, Pope Leo XIV stated, "I wish to express my closeness to the Venezuelan sisters and brothers affected by the recent earthquakes that have caused numerous victims and injuries, as well as significant material damage." He continued by urging the faithful to pray for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives, while reaffirming his spiritual support for their families and expressing gratitude to the rescue teams working diligently in the aftermath.
On Saturday evening, at the conclusion of the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV conveyed the collective closeness of the College of Cardinals to the Venezuelan people, stating, "We assure our prayers for the victims, their families, and all those suffering the consequences of this tragedy." He emphasized the importance of international solidarity for the beleaguered nation.
Following the earthquakes, which struck with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, rescue crews began working tirelessly to locate survivors. By Saturday, reports indicated that the death toll had climbed to nearly 1,500, with approximately 70,000 individuals reported missing.
Pope Leo XIV also took immediate action by sending an initial donation of 100,000 euros to support the victims and their families. The humanitarian aid was transmitted through the Apostolic Almoner's Office, coordinated with the Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela, Archbishop Alberto Ortega Martín, and the Archbishop of Caracas, Archbishop Raúl Biord Castillo. In parallel, Catholic communities and charities mobilized to provide shelter and emergency assistance to displaced families, utilizing local Caritas networks.
