Search and rescue operation in the Syrian town of Jandairis (AFP or licensors)
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Feb 9 2023
During the General Audience, Pope Francis issues an appeal for help for all those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, as the death toll soars.
Pope Francis has once again appealed for help for quake victims of Turkey and Syria during his General Audience in the Vatican on Wednesday morning.
Addressing those present, the Pope said, his thoughts go at this time to the peoples of the neighbouring countries, hard hit by the earthquake that caused thousands of deaths and injuries.
Appeal to show solidarity
The Pope thanked those who are working to bring relief, and encouraged everyone to show solidarity with those territories, “some of which have already been battered by a long war.”
This marks the latest exhortation of the Holy Father to help.
Death toll exceeds 11,000
Two earthquakes struck southeastern Turkey early on Monday, devastating wide areas in the country and in neighbouring Syria. The quake toppled hundreds of buildings and killed thousands of people
The death toll has already exceeded 11,000, and the figure is expected to grow significantly.
The Pope renewed his closeness to the people of Turkey and Syria on Tuesday with a tweet expressing his closeness in “the midst of this appalling tragedy.”
Pope’s continued closeness
Already on Monday, the Pope sent telegrams to Turkey and Syria to offer his condolences, asking the Apostolic Nuncios, Archbishop Marek Solczynski in Turkey and Cardinal Mario Zenari in Syria, to convey his spiritual closeness.
On the same day, the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States opened the Earthquake Aid for Turkey and Syria Fund to help the suffering.
Proceeds from this fund will support missionary priests, religious women and lay missionaries on the ground providing assistance to those impacted by the disaster. – Vatican News
