Pope Leo XIV offers prayers and aid for Venezuela earthquake victims as the death toll reaches 1,450 and global rescue efforts expand.
Newsroom (30/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV has expressed his solidarity with the people of Venezuela following a devastating pair of earthquakes that struck the country’s northern coast, killing at least 1,450 people and leaving thousands injured as rescue teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
Addressing pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square on June 28 after the Angelus prayer, the pontiff offered prayers for those who lost their lives and words of comfort for families affected by the catastrophe.
“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,” Pope Leo said. He also expressed gratitude to emergency responders and humanitarian workers engaged in rescue and relief operations, praising those “generously working on search and rescue efforts and providing assistance.”
The twin earthquakes struck the northern Venezuelan state of La Guaira on the evening of June 24. Measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, the seismic events were reported to be the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in more than a century, causing widespread destruction across affected communities.
As the scale of the disaster became clearer, Venezuelan authorities reported on June 28 that the death toll had climbed to 1,450, with thousands more injured. Rescue specialists from multiple countries have arrived in Venezuela to support ongoing operations aimed at locating survivors and providing emergency assistance to devastated communities.
The international humanitarian response has grown rapidly. According to the United Nations, more than 2,200 rescuers and 140 search dogs from 27 countries have been deployed to assist with search and recovery efforts. Emergency teams continue to work around the clock amid difficult conditions, racing against time to find people who may still be trapped beneath rubble.
Tom Fletcher, the United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, emphasized the challenges facing both authorities and aid organizations in the aftermath of the disaster. In a statement issued on June 25, he said the coming days would require “a massive collective effort” to support the government-led response and help communities recover.
Fletcher also warned that the earthquakes had struck a country already facing significant humanitarian pressures. Nearly 8 million people in Venezuela were in need of humanitarian assistance before the disaster, he noted, adding that the earthquakes risk deepening existing vulnerabilities and creating new challenges for affected populations.
The Vatican moved quickly to provide practical assistance alongside spiritual support. Within hours of the earthquakes, Pope Leo authorized an emergency donation of 100,000 euros (approximately US$115,000) through the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. The contribution was intended to support immediate relief efforts and assist those most affected by the tragedy.
The pope’s concern for Venezuela remained a central theme during a two-day consistory at the Vatican. Together with the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo remembered the victims and those suffering from the disaster’s consequences. In his concluding address on June 27, he reaffirmed the Church’s closeness to the Venezuelan people and assured continued prayers for victims and their families.
“We also entrust to the Lord all those engaged in relief efforts and ask that the international community continue to show solidarity with that beloved nation,” the pope said.
Across Latin America, Catholic bishops’ conferences and charitable organizations have mobilized to support relief efforts. Several national churches have launched fundraising campaigns and appeals for donations to provide emergency supplies to those affected.
In Peru, the bishops’ conference and Caritas Peru announced the “Solidarity with Venezuela” campaign on June 27. The initiative seeks donations to purchase essential food, hygiene products, medicines, and other critical supplies for affected families.
Caritas Peru described each contribution as a tangible expression of fraternity and hope, emphasizing that solidarity becomes most meaningful when transformed into action during times of crisis.
Similar initiatives have emerged elsewhere in the region. In Colombia, bishops called upon Catholic faithful, church communities, and all people of goodwill to respond generously and promptly through coordinated donations organized with local Caritas agencies. Church leaders stressed the importance of a structured humanitarian response capable of addressing urgent needs created by the emergency.
Meanwhile, Ecuador’s bishops’ conference announced a nationwide collection to be held in parishes on July 5. In a statement published June 25, the bishops encouraged clergy, educators, parish communities, and pastoral organizations to promote participation and inspire generous giving according to individual means.
The Ecuadorian bishops described every donation as a concrete sign of closeness to those suffering in Venezuela, underscoring the importance of ensuring that affected communities feel accompanied and supported during a period of profound loss.
As rescue operations continue and humanitarian needs grow, the response from the Vatican, international organizations, and Church communities across Latin America reflects a broad effort to provide both immediate assistance and long-term solidarity with a nation confronting one of the deadliest natural disasters in its modern history.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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