During his Angelus address on February 12th, Pope Francis expressed his concern and solidarity for the people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. He asked people to continue supporting them through prayer and concrete help. The Pope was moved by the images of pain and suffering from the catastrophe that he saw on television and urged people to pray for them and think of ways they can assist.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and more than a dozen survivors were pulled out of the rubble on Saturday. The United Nations reports that millions have been left homeless after two earthquakes on Feb. 6 led thousands of buildings to collapse in parts of Turkey and Syria.
Catholic charities are providing aid to those affected by the disaster. Caritas Syria is opening shelters in Aleppo, Hama, and Lattakia to help protect those who lost their homes from the cold and the snow. Caritas Turkey has set up a hotline to provide help to victims and is distributing hot meals and clothes.
The Catholic humanitarian organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has pledged more than $500,000 to assist local Churches in Syria to provide aid after the earthquake. ACN is focused on providing blankets, milk for infants, and medical supplies. Engineers are inspecting houses to ensure they are safe for families to return, while many are sheltering in churches.
During his reflection on the Gospel, Pope Francis encouraged Christians to go beyond the minimum requirements of religious observance and to love “to the maximum” like God. He urged people to reflect on whether they are genuine in their efforts to grow in love for God and others or merely pretending. The Pope emphasized that true love knows no bounds and never satisfies; it goes beyond. Finally, he called on Mary to help people give fulfillment to their faith and charity.
At the end of the Angelus address, Pope Francis asked people to pray for the “martyred Ukraine” and for political leaders to seek peace that is born of truth, justice, freedom, and love. He expressed his concern for the recent news coming from Nicaragua after the sentencing of Bishop Rolando Álvarez Lago of Matagalpa to 26 years in prison on Feb. 10.
