Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims of devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela as the death toll continues to climb and rescuers race to save people trapped under collapsed buildings.
Speaking to pilgrims gathered outside St. Peter’s Square June 28 after praying the Angelus prayer, the pope expressed his solidarity with the people of Venezuela and prayed for the dead and wounded.
“Praying to the Lord for the eternal rest of the deceased, I renew my spiritual solidarity with their families, the injured and all who have been shaken by this tragedy,” he said. “I also wish to express my gratitude and encouragement to those generously working on search and rescue efforts and providing assistance.”
The twin earthquakes, which struck the northern Venezuelan state of La Guaira in the evening of June 24, measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude and were the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.
According to The Associated Press, Venezuelan government officials reported June 28 that the death toll reached 1,450 and thousands more were injured. Rescuers from around the world have arrived in the country to assist in rescue efforts.
People transported an undamaged statue of Mary and the Christ Child near the site of a damaged building in Caracas, Venezuela, on June 25 following 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that rocked the country on June 24. At least 1,400 people died.
The United Nations said more than 2,200 rescuers and 140 search dogs from 27 countries were working to locate trapped survivors. In a statement published June 25, Tom Fletcher, the U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said the coming days would “require a massive collective effort to support the Government-led response and help communities.”
“Even before these earthquakes, nearly 8 million people in Venezuela were in need of humanitarian support. This disaster risks deepening existing vulnerabilities,” Fletcher said.
Hours after the back-to-back earthquakes struck the country, Pope Leo sent an initial emergency donation of 100,000 euros ($115,000) through the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, Vatican News reported.
The pope and the College of Cardinals also remembered the people of Venezuela during the two-day consistory at the Vatican. In his concluding address June 27, the pope expressed his closeness and that of the cardinals and assured “prayers for the victims, their families, and all those suffering the consequences of this tragedy.”
Bishops’ conferences also mobilized relief efforts across Latin America, organizing fundraisers and solidarity campaigns to assist the people of Venezuela.
