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Pope Leo quickly sent his assurance of prayers after last night's 6.0 earthquake in Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, that has left hundreds dead.
By afternoon of September 1, the death toll was over 800 but in some villages, officials expect that the majority of the victims are still under the debris. Some 2,500 are injured.
The Holy Father's message was sent through his secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Deeply saddened by the significant loss of life caused by the earthquake in the area of eastern Afghanistan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV offers fervent prayers for the souls of the deceased, for the injured, and for those still missing.
Entrusting all affected by this disaster to the providence of the Almighty, he expresses his heartfelt solidarity in particular with those who mourn the loss of loved ones and with the emergency personnel and civil authorities involved in rescue and recovery efforts. At this difficult time for the nation, His Holiness invokes upon the Afghan people the divine blessings of consolation and strength.
The earthquake was centered less than 20 miles away from Jalalabad, which has a population of about 300,000. The earthquake was relatively "shallow," meaning that it is more destructive because the waves affect the surface more.
This area is one of the planet's most seismically active zones.
