Natural Disasters

The earthquake that shook Colombia Aug. 10 registered 7.4 on the Richter scale, but the damage it caused was far more severe than the number would indicate, say eyewitnesses.

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 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.

Wildfires burning through central Spain forced a community of Augustinian nuns to evacuate their monastery as flames threatened the region.

Pope Leo XIV offered prayers as firefighters continue to battle massive wildfires in Spain and France that have forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate from their homes.

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.

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.

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

Disaster response teams are continuing to deploy to Venezuela and ongoing relief efforts from organizations around the world is pouring in.

The archbishop of Caracas called for prayers and solidarity after back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing at least 188 people and injuring hundreds more.