Pope Leo XIV speaks by telephone with the Colombian President, expressing his solidarity following the country’s recent earthquake.
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone on Wednesday afternoon with Abelardo de la Espriella, President of the Republic of Colombia, according to a statement on telegram by the Holy See Press Office.
During the conversation, the Pope expressed his closeness to all those suffering the consequences of the powerful earthquake that struck Colombia on 10 August. He offered particular support to the families of those who died, as well as to those injured and to the rescuers and humanitarian workers involved in the emergency response.
The conversation also included an exchange on the situation in Colombia and in the regions most affected by the earthquake.
7.4-magnitude earthquake
The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.4, was centred near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, in western Colombia. It was felt across a wide area of the country and caused extensive damage, particularly in the departments of Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas and Quindío. Cali and Pereira were among the cities particularly affected.
According to an assessment released by the United Nations Development Programme on 28 August, official figures at the time recorded 331 deaths, 4,449 injuries and 143 people missing. More than 406,000 people were reported to have been affected, with more than 225,000 structures damaged.
The earthquake has prompted a major rescue and humanitarian operation, with authorities and humanitarian agencies, including the Caritas network, continuing to assist affected communities and assess the extensive damage to homes and public infrastructure.
