Pope Francis expressed his profound sadness for the earthquake in Taiwan and assured those affected by the tragedy of his “sincere solidarity and spiritual closeness”.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, caused the death of at least 12 people and injured over 200. The epicenter of the earthquake was located in southern Taiwan, near the city of Tainan.

Pope Francis has invited the international community to help the populations affected by the earthquake. In a press release, the Vatican expressed its “solidarity with the people of Taiwan in this difficult time.”

Taiwanese authorities have declared a state of emergency and mobilized thousands of rescue teams to help earthquake victims.

Pope Francis asked the international Catholic community to pray for the victims of the earthquake and their families. In a press release, the Vatican expressed its “solidarity with the people of Taiwan in this difficult time.” The Vatican also launched an appeal for the “generosity” of the international community to help the populations affected by the earthquake.

We publish below the telegram of condolence for the victims of the earthquake in Taiwan, sent – on behalf of the Holy Father Francis – by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, to the President of the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference of Taiwan, H.E. Bishop John Baptist Lee Keh-mean:

Telegram

THE MOST REVEREND JOHN BAPTIST LEE KEH-MEAN
PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE REGIONAL
BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF TAIWAN

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE LOSS OF LIFE AND DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE EARTHQUAKE IN TAIWAN, AND HE ASSURES EVERYONE AFFECTED BY THIS DISASTER OF HIS HEARTFELT SOLIDARITY AND SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS. POPE FRANCIS LIKEWISE PRAYS FOR THE DEAD, THE INJURED AND ALL THOSE DISPLACED, AS WELL AS FOR THE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN RECOVERY EFFORTS, AND INVOKES UPON ALL THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF CONSOLATION AND STRENGTH.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE