earthquake

The Latest

Church collapses in Mexico quake during baptism, killing several

Sep 21, 2017

On Sept. 19, a family in Puebla, Mexico was attending the baptism of their daughter when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake shook... Read more

Mexican bishops join in prayer, grief after second deadly earthquake

Sep 20, 2017

Following Mexico’s second major earthquake in two weeks, bishops in the country called for prayers and solidarity, asking Our Lady... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Casa Santa Marta on June 9, 2016.

Pope Francis prays for Mexico during this ‘moment of sorrow’

Sep 20, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the people of Mexico after they suffered a devastating earthquake Sept. 19,... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on October 2, 2013.

Pope Francis prays for victims of Mexico earthquake

Sep 8, 2017

Following Mass during his five-day trip to Colombia, Pope Francis on Friday offered prayers for those affected by a major... Read more

Pope Francis visits an earthquake zone in Italy in 2016. Photo: L'Osservatore Romano

Pope Francis donates 50,000 euros to Greek island struck by earthquake

Jul 3, 2017

Pope Francis has donated 50 thousand euros to the island of Lesbos, Greece, which is recovering from a June earthquake.  Read more

Pope Francis listened to the testimonies of several children from earthquake-struck areas on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the Vatican.

Pope hears testimonies of earthquake children, asks them to trust in Jesus

Jun 3, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Saturday, Pope Francis met with 400 children from towns hit by earthquakes in central Italy, telling them that during... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square for a Jubilee of Mercy audience June 18, 2016.

Even in tragedy, God’s love remains, Pope tells earthquake victims

Apr 2, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Sunday Pope Francis encouraged people from earthquake-damaged communities to continue the process of rebuilding with courage and strength, never losing... Read more

A church damaged in Ecuador's April 2016 earthquake.

Ecuadorians struck by earthquake plead: 'Don't forget us'

Mar 15, 2017

Almost one year has passed since a devastating earthquake struck Ecuador on April 16, 2016: more than 660 died and... Read more

The Basilica of St. Benedict in the main square of Norcia, before the earthquake.

Echoes of St. Benedict as Norcia monks rebuild after earthquake

Mar 10, 2017

By Matt Hadro

As Benedictine monks in Norcia, Italy rebuild their monastery from the rubble caused by devastating earthquakes last year, they do... Read more

Archbishop Francesco Giovanni Brugnaro of Camerino-San Severino Marche and Papal Almoner Archbishop Konrad Krajewski purchase food from small farmers. Photo courtesy of the Holy See Press Office.

Vatican 'goes shopping' in Italy earthquake zones to help local economy

Feb 24, 2017

By Elise Harris

In a bid to help local economies in the zones ravaged by several major earthquakes in 2016 recover, the Vatican... Read more

Pope Francis during a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square Oct. 2, 2013.

Pope leads 'Hail Mary' for those affected by latest disasters in Italy

Jan 22, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

After his Angelus address Sunday Pope Francis prayed for those who have lost family and friends after the latest set... Read more

Pope Francis baptizes babies from earthquake zones in Italy at the chapel of Santa Marta.

Pope Francis baptizes babies from earthquake zones in Italy

Jan 14, 2017

On Saturday, Pope Francis baptized 13 babies from areas where devastating earthquakes struck Italy last year.   Read more

Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square for the general audience, Dec. 9, 2015.

We need hope – not 'optimism,' Pope Francis tells quake victims

Jan 5, 2017

By Elise Harris

During an audience with people from the areas devastated by earthquakes in Central Italy, Pope Francis emphasized the need to... Read more

The Basilica of St. Benedict in the main square of Norcia, before the earthquake.

Basilica of St. Benedict destroyed in earthquake

Oct 30, 2016

A large earthquake struck the central Italian town of Norcia this morning, leveling the Basilica of St. Benedict and several... Read more

Pope Francis during the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on October 2, 2013.

Pope prays for central Italy after second major earthquake

Oct 30, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Sunday Pope Francis expressed his nearness to everyone affected by an earthquake which hit central Italy Sunday morning, asking for... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the red zone in Amatrice during a private Oct. 4, 2016, visit to those affected by a massive earthquake in August.

Pope Francis makes surprise visit to Amatrice to pray for earthquake victims

Oct 4, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday Pope Francis made an unannounced private visit to the small Italian city of Amatrice to offer support  areas... Read more

Police officers view the remains of a building that was destroyed during an earthquake, on August 25, 2016 in Amatrice, Italy.

Firefighters sent by Pope rescue 3-old-boy after earthquake

Aug 26, 2016

A group of Holy See firefighters sent by Pope Francis to an earthquake-devastated town in Italy rescued a three-year-old boy... Read more

Sister Marjana Lleshi in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, Aug. 25, 2016.

The powerful story of a nun who survived Italy's earthquake

Aug 26, 2016

By Elise Harris

Sister Marjana Lleshi awoke in the early hours of Wednesday morning to the violent shaking of the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that killed 250 people, devastating several towns in... Read more

Pope Francis leads pilgrims in praying for the victims of an earthquake in Italy during his Aug. 24, 2016, general audience.

Pope tosses audience speech, prays rosary for victims of Italy quake

Aug 24, 2016

By Elise Harris

Instead of giving the usual catechesis during his Wednesday general audience, Pope Francis decided to postpone the speech, leading pilgrims... Read more

A car damaged in Srinagar, India because of the Oct. 26, 2015 earthquake in northern Afghanistan, with tremors felt as widely as Pakistan and northern India

Pope Francis grieves loss of life in Afghanistan-Pakistan quake

Oct 27, 2015

By Elise Harris

After a massive earthquake rocked Pakistan and Afghanistan yesterday killing hundreds, Pope Francis on Tuesday voiced his sorrow and solidarity... Read more