By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Pope Leo has expressed his heartfelt solidarity with the people of Venezuela following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the country earlier this week, leaving thousands of families grieving, many people injured, and entire communities struggling to recover from widespread destruction.
Speaking during the traditional Angelus prayer at the Vatican on Sunday, the pontiff delivered an emotional message in Spanish, offering prayers for those who lost loved ones and for everyone affected by the powerful disaster.
“I wish to express my closeness to the Venezuelan sisters and brothers affected by the recent earthquakes that caused numerous victims and injuries,” Pope Leo said before thousands of worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
The pope also paid tribute to the rescue workers, medical teams, volunteers, and humanitarian organizations that have been working tirelessly to search for survivors, provide medical treatment, and deliver essential aid to devastated communities. He praised their dedication and encouraged continued international support for those affected by the tragedy.
Pope Leo has long maintained close ties with Latin America. Before becoming head of the Catholic Church, he spent decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru, giving him a deep understanding of the region and its people. His remarks reflected both his personal connection to Latin America and his concern for those now facing immense hardship in Venezuela.
The humanitarian response has continued to grow as countries and international organizations rally to assist the South American nation. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the EU has approved €5 million (approximately $5.9 million) in emergency assistance to help communities impacted by the earthquakes.
Kallas also revealed that she had spoken with Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, to express the European Union’s solidarity and commitment to supporting relief efforts. According to the EU, the funding will help provide emergency shelter, food, medical supplies, clean water, and other critical assistance for survivors.
In addition to financial support, the European Union has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism, allowing several member states to rapidly deploy specialized search-and-rescue teams, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and disaster response experts to assist local authorities.
The EU is also utilizing its Copernicus satellite mapping system to assess the scale of the destruction. The satellite imagery is helping emergency responders identify the hardest-hit areas, coordinate rescue operations, and ensure humanitarian aid reaches communities most in need as quickly as possible.
The twin earthquakes have caused catastrophic damage across parts of Venezuela, collapsing buildings, damaging critical infrastructure, and leaving thousands of people displaced. Rescue operations remain underway as emergency crews continue searching through the rubble for survivors while hospitals and relief agencies work around the clock to care for the injured.
As Venezuela confronts one of its worst natural disasters in recent years, messages of support from religious leaders and governments around the world continue to pour in. Pope Leo’s prayers, together with the European Union’s humanitarian assistance, underscore the growing international effort to help the country recover from the devastating earthquakes and support the victims during the difficult weeks ahead.
Source Reuters