South America

Peruvian city to unveil world's tallest statue of Pope Leo for trip to South America

David Agren · September 8, 2026

The Peruvian city of Callao announced an unusual tribute to Pope Leo XIV ahead of his November visit to the South American country: the largest statue of the pontiff in the world.

Venezuelan archbishop says hope endures as Church rebuilds from catastrophic quakes

Junno Arocho Esteves · August 25, 2026

Venezuelan Archbishop Jesús González de Zárate of Valencia had just finished celebrating Mass on the Feast of St. John the Baptist when the unthinkable happened.

Bogotá archdiocese launches 'spiritual first aid' mission to quake-hit cities

Junno Arocho Esteves · August 20, 2026

Dozens of clergy from the Archdiocese of Bogotá embarked on a five-day pastoral mission to cities in Colombia devastated by the Aug. 10 earthquake.

Bishops express solidarity with Colombia as death toll surpasses 250

Junno Arocho Esteves · August 12, 2026

Messages of solidarity from bishops' conferences across Latin America poured in as rescue workers race against time to save victims still trapped beneath the rubble in multiple cities across Colombia.

Pope Leo offers prayers, condolences as bishops urge solidarity following Colombia earthquake

Junno Arocho Esteves · August 11, 2026

Pope Leo XIV said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction following a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia, leaving more than 100 dead and dozens of collapsed buildings.

Pope to visit 10 South American cities in November

Courtney Mares · August 6, 2026

Pope Leo XIV will make the first apostolic journey to South America of his pontificate Nov. 6-17, visiting 10 cities in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, the Vatican has announced.

Venezuelan bishops urge faithful to reject superstitious view of earthquakes

Junno Arocho Esteves · July 23, 2026

The bishops of Venezuela called on the faithful to reject the superstitious notion that the twin earthquakes that struck the country were a divine punishment.

Peru: Historic churches severely damaged following earthquakes

Junno Arocho Esteves · July 22, 2026

After a pair of earthquakes struck the mountainous region of Junín in Peru, the Catholic Church in the country expressed solidarity with victims' families and is coordinating humanitarian aid to help victims, as well as efforts to preserve damaged historic churches.

Death toll in Venezuela nears 5,000 as earthquake recovery intensifies

Junno Arocho Esteves · July 16, 2026

Twin earthquakes in Venezuela have left nearly 5,000 people dead, according to government officials, triggering a massive mobilization of humanitarian aid organizations.

Nicaraguan bishop’s whereabouts unknown

Bishop Mata had been detained by Nicaraguan authorities

David Agren · July 8, 2026

Another Nicaraguan bishop remains missing after being apprehended by police.