Pope Francis expressed his condolences and support for the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria at the end of the General Audience. The magnitude of 7.8 earthquakes has killed at least 9,500 people and left 380,000 homeless in Turkey alone. Pope Francis expressed his distress for those who have seen their homes and cities collapse and their loved ones die before their eyes.

“My thoughts go at this time to the people of Turkey and Syria, who were hard hit by the earthquake that left thousands dead and injured. With emotion, I pray for them and express my closeness to these people, the victims’ families, and all those suffering from this devastating calamity.”

Pope Francis also thanked those working to aid the affected populations in southern Turkey and northeastern Syria, digging through the rubble to find men, women, and children. However, rescue efforts are hindered by aftershocks, freezing temperatures, damaged roads, and the lack of an effective plan to handle emergencies. Pope Francis encouraged Christians to show solidarity with these territories, some of which have already been ravaged by long wars.

Pope Francis also addressed the populations of Aleppo and other Syrian cities who are unable to return to their homes, fearing that the buildings have been made unstable by the earthquake as well as the bombing in the decade of conflict. Francis entrusted everything and everyone to the protection of the Virgin Mary.

Pope Francis did not forget the suffering of the Ukrainian people, who are also profoundly affected by the cold, and who live without light, without heating, in a war zone. He also remembered the victims of the fires in Chile and the participants of the Benedictine Torch, a relay for peace and unity in Europe that will see young torchbearers traveling through Italian and European cities to encourage people and political leaders to “find in the values and life program of Saint Benedict, a vigorous impulse to the building of an international moral order based on justice and peace.”