Venezuela earthquake kills 1,430, Pope Leo XIV offers solidarity

During the Angelus prayer on 28 June 2026, Pope Leo XIV reminded the faithful that love requires detachment, loss and hospitality. In his address from St. Peter’s Square he voiced solidarity with the Venezuelan people after the recent earthquakes that have caused massive loss of life and suffering.

The Pope cited the latest official figures: 1,430 dead, 3,238 injured and 3,142 people displaced. He prayed for the victims, expressed spiritual closeness to the families of the deceased, and praised the rescue crews working tirelessly in the disaster zones. His remarks linked the Gospel message of self‑sacrifice to the urgent humanitarian need in Venezuela.

The speech underscores the Vatican’s concern for a major natural disaster affecting a neighboring continent and highlights the scale of the tragedy in Venezuela.