Pope Francis prays for victims of earthquake in Norcia
(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis prayed for victims of an earthquake that struck Italy near
the town of Norcia on Sunday. The powerful temblor was felt as far away as Rome
and Venice.
“I
express my closeness to the people of central Italy,” the Pope said. “I pray
for the wounded and the families that have suffered major damage; as well as
for the personnel” involved in rescue efforts and in aiding the victims.
The
Holy Father concluded his remarks with the prayer “May the Risen Lord give them
strength, and the Madonna watch over them.”
Sunday’s
earthquake was the latest in a series of seismic events to strike central
Italy. Earlier this month, Pope Francis visited the area to express his
closeness to victims of magnitude 6.2 quake that hit the region in August,
killing almost 300 people.
The
earthquake that struck Norcia on Sunday was even stronger, measuring
approximately 6.5 on the Richter scale. It is believed to be the strongest
quake in Italy in decades. No deaths have been reported, but a number of people
have been gravely injured. There was widespread devastation, with many
buildings, already compromised by earlier quakes, suffering severe damage. The
Basilica of St Benedict, built over the birthplace of Sts Benedict and
Scholastica; and the nearby Cathedral of Norcia, were both completely
destroyed.
The
region is still suffering from aftershocks, and victims of the quake have asked
for prayers.
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