The news was announced early this afternoon, June 25. Leo XIV, through the Apostolic Alms, has sent initial aid to Venezuela, which has been affected during the night by strong seismic tremors. The amount allocated by the Pope amounts to 100,000 euros, a figure agreed upon after maintaining contacts with the nuncio in the country, Monsignor Alberto Ortega Martín, titular archbishop of Midila, and with the archbishop of Caracas, Monsignor Raúl Biord Castillo. However, constant attention will be maintained on the needs of the Venezuelan people, which, in the coming days, following the instructions of the local Church, we will try to satisfy.

According to news about the earthquake, La Guaira is the most affected area of the country. This was stated by the president in charge, Delcy Rodríguez, when declaring a state of national emergency after the two violent earthquakes, of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, that have affected the northwest of the country. Early in the morning the death toll was updated: at least 164 people died and 971 were injured, but authorities warn that the number of victims could increase as rescue operations progress. Aa Guaira is the area most affected by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that shook Venezuela during the afternoon of June 24. This was stated by the president in charge, Delcy Rodríguez, when declaring a state of national emergency after the two violent earthquakes, of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5that have affected the northwest of the country.

The Church has mobilized since the first hours after the earthquake. «We are doing what we have always done in times of crisis: opening our doors, accompanying those who have lost everything and bringing hope where fear has spread», declared Marco Mencaglia, project director of Aid to the Church in Suffering (ACS) International, adding that the foundation will continue to accompany affected communities «with our help and our prayers». Caritas Internationalis has also announced an allocation of 100,000 euros for emergency aid, in collaboration with Cáritas Venezuela and its network of some 30,000 volunteers. On the ground, the archbishop of Caracas, Monsignor Raúl Biord Castillo, upon his return from a visit to the area, reported that «many» parishes «present serious structural damage»,to which we must add the cathedral and about twelve churches that have been damaged. «Many parishes have welcomed people so that they could spend the night in their facilities. We have already launched a solidarity network through parish Caritas», explained the prelate. The archbishop of Caracas also stressed that the human balance could have been much more serious, but that «thank God it was a holiday. If it had been a weekday, with schools, offices and shops open, the number of victims would have been much higher». However, the situation remains serious, especially in the diocese of La Guaira, where the bishop, Monsignor Pablo Modesto González Pérez, has declared: «We are without electricity and we have all been affected. Many walls have collapsed in the seminary».Monsignor Pérez added that several churches have suffered significant damage.

The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is calling for prayers for the people of Venezuela, after two strong earthquakes that have shaken the country, causing fatalities and serious material damage, and leaving thousands of people afraid to return to their homes.

The earthquakes occurred on the afternoon of June 24. The first , of magnitude 7.2, was recorded at 6:04 P.M. (local time) and, just 39 seconds later, a second quake hit, with magnitude 7.5. The two powerful tremors were felt in much of the country and caused significant damage to homes, public buildings, and churches.

Among the affected buildings are numerous churches, parish houses, and Church institutions, many of which have suffered serious structural damage.

At the same time, many Church institutions have opened their doors to welcome families who cannot return to their homes.

The San Pedro Apóstol Diocesan Seminary in La Guaira, Venezuela after the earthquake Archbishop Raúl Biord Castillo of Caracas toured the affected parishes for hours to personally assess the situation: “I have just returned from a tour of several parishes. Many of them have serious structural damage,” the archbishop told ACN.

According to Archbishop Biord, among the most affected are the Cathedral of Caracas and about a dozen other churches, although the communication difficulties caused by power and Internet cuts still make it impossible to know the full extent of the damage. “In Ñauralí, the roof of the right nave fell in. The church and the parish house of Pagüita collapsed. The parish priest was miraculously saved,” he added.

Oh Virgin of Coromoto!

Patron Saint of Venezuela, we entrust all those impacted by the earthquake into your care.

Embrace those in pain, uplift those who have endured great loss, and safeguard those dedicated to the noble work of rescue.

Present our prayers to the Heart of Jesus, allowing your motherly love and Queenly strength to shine through. mother of the Divine and our Beloved mother!

Lift your prayers for Venezuela during this challenging time.

Lead us to the Heart of Jesus, shower us with your blessings, and envelop us in your sacred mantle.

May we, uplifted by your intercession, discover strength, hope, and tranquility.