VATICAN - The amount was handed over to the highest representatives of the Church in this Latin American country through the Apostolic Charity Fund. The most affected area is the coastal state of La Guaira, which President Rodríguez described as a "catastrophic area." Bishop Pablo Modesto González Pérez stated that many walls also collapsed in the seminary.

Pope Leo XIV sent financial aid to Venezuela through the Apostolic Charity Fund after a strong earthquake struck the country during the night. The Pope allocated an amount of 100,000 euros, decided upon after consultations with the nuncio in the country, Monsignor Albert Ortega Martín, and the Archbishop of Caracas, Monsignor Raúl Biordi Castille. The Holy See stated that this is a response to immediate needs and that further assistance will follow based on reports from local churches. The current death toll is around 200 people, many others were injured, and thousands remain trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Rescue teams are searching dozens of collapsed buildings following the earthquakes from Wednesday evening, which reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, followed by further aftershocks.

Church Mobilization to Aid the Affected

The Pope's aid arrives at a time when Catholic communities across the country are opening parish buildings to provide shelter for families who have lost their homes and organizing emergency assistance through local Caritas networks. Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas remains closed. The worst situation is reported from the coastal state of La Guaira north of the capital, where dozens of buildings have collapsed. President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national state of disaster and emergency, describing La Guaira as a "catastrophic area."

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to stay outside and keep away from damaged buildings while engineers assess the stability of critical infrastructure. The damage is extensive and severe. Churches, including the cathedral in Caracas and several parish churches, suffered structural damage; seminaries and other church buildings were also affected. Despite this, church representatives continue to provide shelter, food, and care to those who have lost their homes. International aid is beginning to arrive from across America and abroad, while search and rescue teams race against time in the hope of finding more survivors under the rubble.

vaticannews.va / gnews.cz