Pope Leo expresses solidarity with Venezuela earthquake victims during Sunday Angelus

Sunday 28 June 2026 - 13:04

By: Sahili Aya

Pope Leo expresses solidarity with Venezuela earthquake victims during Sunday Angelus

During his traditional Sunday Angelus address, Pope Leo expressed deep solidarity with the people of Venezuela following a series of powerful earthquakes that have left multiple victims and widespread destruction across the country earlier this week.

Speaking from the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, the pontiff addressed pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, offering prayers for those affected and calling for continued international support for rescue and recovery operations. He conveyed his message in Spanish, emphasizing his closeness to Venezuelan families mourning losses and dealing with injuries and displacement.

Pope Leo also paid tribute to emergency responders working in difficult conditions across affected regions, acknowledging the efforts of rescue teams, medical personnel, and volunteers assisting survivors in the aftermath of the disaster.

Before his election to the papacy, Pope Leo spent decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru, a Spanish-speaking nation in South America. His long-standing experience in Latin America has shaped his pastoral focus on the region. He is also expected to undertake a broader visit to several South American countries later in the year, including Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay, further reinforcing ties between the Vatican and the region.

In parallel with the Vatican’s message of solidarity, the European Union announced an emergency response package aimed at supporting Venezuela’s recovery efforts. The EU’s foreign policy chief confirmed that €5 million had been mobilised to assist affected communities.

European authorities also activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, enabling rapid deployment of search-and-rescue teams, firefighters, and medical experts from several member states. In addition, the Copernicus satellite system is being used to map damaged areas and improve coordination of humanitarian assistance on the ground.

The coordinated international response underscores growing global concern over the scale of the disaster and the urgent need for humanitarian aid as Venezuela continues to assess the full impact of the earthquakes.