Pope Francis on Sunday, August 15, 2021, offered prayers for peace in Afghanistan and expressed his closeness to the people of Haiti in the wake of a devastating earthquake in the island country.
The Holy Father’s comments came after praying the noonday Angelus with the faithful in St. Peter’s Square.
“I join in the unanimous concern for the situation in Afghanistan,” the Pope said. “I ask all of you to pray with me to the God of peace so that the clamor of weapons might cease and solutions can be found at the table of dialogue. Only thus can the battered population of that countrymen, women, elderly, and children – return to their own homes, and live in peace and security, in total mutual respect.”
The Taliban have entered the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, according to international news reports. Talks are underway to arrange a peaceful transition of power from the current government. In the meantime, the United States is evacuating its embassy and removing its diplomats and their families from the nation.
Earthquake Strikes Haiti
“In the past few hours, a strong earthquake occurred in Haiti, provoking numerous deaths, wounding many, and causing extensive material damage,” Pope Francis said. “I want to express my closeness to the dear people hard hit by the earthquake. While I lift up my prayer to the Lord for the victims, I extend my word of encouragement to the survivors, hoping that the interest of the international community to help might move toward them. May the solidarity of all alleviate the consequences of the tragedy! Let us pray together to the Madonna for Haiti. Hail Mary…”
Haiti was struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on the morning of Saturday, August 14. More than 300 people have been killed and more than 1800 injured, according to the Haitian government, which has declared a state of emergency.
