Pope Leo XIV sent an initial aid of 100,000 euros for those affected by the Colombia earthquake, which will be directly allocated to the Episcopal Conference to handle its distribution.
The sum of 100,000 euros is directly allocated to the National Secretariat of Pastoral and Social Affairs-Colombian Charity of the Episcopal Conference, which acts as a coordination center for the collection and distribution of aid, in order to provide solidarity assistance to the affected dioceses, Vatican media reported.
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The amount was agreed upon with the beneficiaries and constitutes an initial donation to address the most urgent emergencies, while the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, led by the ‘almoner’, the Spaniard Luis Marín de San Martín, will remain attentive to other needs.
Pope Leo XIV offered this Wednesday his prayers for the families of the victims of the earthquake in Colombia “and for all those who have been affected by this tragedy” and expressed his gratitude to those carrying out search and assistance tasks.
“I wish to express my solidarity with our Colombian brothers and sisters who have suffered the consequences of the recent earthquake, which has caused numerous victims and injuries, as well as extensive material damage,” the pope stated in the general audience, during the greeting to the faithful in Spanish.
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He added: “while I pray to the Lord for the eternal rest of the deceased, I assure you of my prayers for their families and for all those who have been affected by this tragedy.”
He also expressed his “gratitude to all those who have worked hard in the rescue and assistance efforts for the victims,” said the pontiff in Spanish.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake has so far caused at least two hundred injured and an uncounted number of missing persons, as well as dozens of collapsed buildings and severe damage to hospitals, airports, public services, and transportation systems, mainly in the central and western parts of the country.
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