Pope Leo assures he’s still praying for Venezuela

MARTIN BERNETTI | MARTIN BERNETTI

Rescuers stand atop the rubble of a collapsed building during search operation in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, Venezuela on July 4, 2026.

Kathleen N. Hattrup - published on 07/05/26

Here are links to places where you can make donations to help the victims. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

"I continue to remember in my prayers the victims of the earthquake and all the Venezuelan people. May the Lord sustain them in this time of great hardship," Pope Leo said this July 5 after praying the midday Angelus.

His message came as he greeted members of the Choir of the University of Mérida in Venezuela who were in St. Peter's for the Angelus.

The official death toll is around 2,500 but tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for and the chance of finding survivors now so many days after the quakes is slim.

Make a donation at Catholic Relief Services (the US branch of Caritas) or ACN.