Pope Leo has offered prayers and words of comfort to the people of Venezuela following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the country earlier this week, leaving several people dead and many others injured.
Speaking on Sunday during the traditional Angelus prayer, the pontiff expressed solidarity with victims and their families, assuring them of his spiritual support at a time of national tragedy.
“My thoughts are with our Venezuelan brothers and sisters who have suffered because of the recent earthquakes that claimed lives and left many others injured,” Pope Leo said.
He also commended emergency responders and volunteers working in the affected regions, praising their dedication in rescuing survivors and providing humanitarian assistance under difficult conditions.
Pope Leo, who previously served for many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru, is known for his strong ties to Latin America.
He is expected to embark on a pastoral visit to the region in November, with Peru, Argentina and Uruguay among the countries listed in his itinerary.
EU announces emergency support
Meanwhile, the European Union has announced fresh humanitarian assistance for Venezuela to support ongoing rescue and recovery operations.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had approved €5 million (about $5.9 million) in emergency aid to assist communities affected by the earthquakes.
Kallas also confirmed that she had spoken with Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, to convey the EU’s solidarity and commitment to supporting relief efforts.
According to her, the EU has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism, allowing member states to deploy search-and-rescue teams, firefighters, and medical personnel to assist local authorities.
She added that the EU’s Copernicus satellite system is being used to assess the extent of damage and guide humanitarian response in the worst-hit areas.
Emergency response operations are still ongoing as authorities and international partners work to locate survivors, provide medical care, and restore basic services in affected communities.
Relief agencies warned that humanitarian needs are expected to rise in the coming days as assessments of the destruction continue.
