Pope prays for victims of powerful Afghanistan quake

Nearly 1,000 people are already confirmed dead after a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan early in the morning of June 22.

Pope Francis expressed his closeness and assured his prayer after the general audience today.

In the past few hours, an earthquake has claimed victims and caused extensive damage in Afghanistan. I express my sympathy to the injured and those affected by the earthquake, and I pray in particular for those who have lost their lives and for their families. I hope that with everyone’s help, the suffering of the dear Afghan people can be alleviated.

The New York Times noted that a United States Geological Survey report this year found that more than 7,000 people have died in the country from earthquakes over the past decade, which averages to 560 people a year.