VATICAN (CNS): Pope Francis offered condolences and prayers for the victims of the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rocked central Croatia on December 29.
“I express my closeness to the injured and to those affected by the earthquake, and I pray in particular for those who have lost their lives and for their families,” the pope said on December 30 before concluding his weekly general audience.
According to Reuters, the quake caused widespread damage and destroyed at least two villages about 48 kilometres from Zagreb, the Croatian capital.
Photo: CNS/Reuters
As of December 30, seven people were known to have died; dozens were injured and many more people remained missing.
The powerful quake, which was felt as far as Austria, was the second to strike the country in two days. A magnitude 5.2 earthquake hit central Croatia on December 28.
In a video message posted on YouTube, Josip Cardinal Bozanic of Zagreb, appealed for solidarity with the victims.
“In this trial, God will show a new hope that becomes especially evident in difficult times,” Cardinal Bozanic said. “My call is for solidarity, especially with the families, children, youth, the elderly and the sick.”
According to SIR, the news agency of the Italian bishops’ conference, Cardinal Bozanic allocated emergency aid to those affected by the natural disaster. Caritas Zagreb will also provide assistance, especially in Sisak and Petrinja, the hardest-hit towns.
“Many people have been left homeless, we must deal with this now,” the cardinal said.
