Pope Leo XIV allocates 100,000 euros to Venezuela in response to earthquakes that caused more than 160 deaths
Pontiff Leo XIV allocated a sum of 100 thousand euros, equivalent to approximately 590 thousand reais, as humanitarian aid to Venezuela. The action took place after the country was shaken by two powerful earthquakes on June 24. The funds were directed to demonstrate the Holy Father’s solidarity with the Venezuelan population, through Limosneria Apostolica, the sector responsible for the Holy See’s charitable actions.
The transfer of resources was directed to local ecclesiastical leaders, with the amount established after discussions between the apostolic nuncio to Venezuela, Archbishop Alberto Ortega Martín, and the archbishop of Caracas, Archbishop Raúl Biord Castillo.
The earthquakes, recorded with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, shook Venezuelan territory after 6 pm local time. The regions of La Guaira and Caracas were the most affected, with the Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, stating that “several areas present complex situations” and record the collapse of buildings.
Although the full extent of the calamity is still being assessed, preliminary reports indicate a minimum of 164 deaths and close to a thousand people injured. Rescue teams are continuously working to search for survivors among the wreckage.
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The Catholic community began a broad mobilization shortly after the shocking earthquakes. The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need stood out by launching campaigns to support affected individuals.
At the same time, Caritas Internationalis also allocated 100 thousand euros for emergency assistance. This initiative was coordinated with Caritas Venezuela, which operates with a vast network of almost 30,000 volunteers spread across the country.
Archbishop Biord of Caracas expressed his dismay at the “extensive structural damage” that affected several parishes, in addition to the damage observed in the cathedral and twelve other local churches.
However, the archbishop stressed that the fatality count could have been considerably higher if the event had not occurred on a public holiday. “Fortunately, it was a day off. Otherwise, with schools, offices and companies operating normally, the number of victims would be much higher,” he declared.
This text originated in a publication by ACI Prensa, an agency associated with EWTN News in Spanish, and was later translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
