Month: September 2025

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News Briefs

Pope Leo XIV expresses condolences for 800 dead left by earthquake in Afghanistan

September 1, 2025 Catholic News Agency 1
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for more than 1 million young pilgrims at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, in Rome’s outskirts, on Aug. 3, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Vatican City, Sep 1, 2025 / 11:05 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences for the more than 800 dead left by the earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday night, with a magnitude of 6 on the Richter scale, also causing widespread destruction.

According to local authorities, more than 800 people died and 1,500 were injured, especially in the districts of Nurgal, Sawkay, Watapur, Dara Pech, and Chapi Dara.

“Deeply saddened by the significant loss of life caused by the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV offers fervent prayers for the souls of the deceased, the wounded, and those still missing,” reads the telegram sent on behalf of the Pontiff.

The telegram, signed by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, states that the Pontiff entrusts “all affected by this disaster to the providence of the Almighty.”

The Pope also expresses “his heartfelt solidarity in particular with those who mourn the loss of loved ones and with the emergency personnel and civil authorities involved in rescue and recovery efforts.”

The main quake, recorded around midnight, was followed by two magnitude 5.2 aftershocks. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the epicenter was located 27 kilometers east of Nangarhar province, at a depth of eight kilometers, which normally amplifies the destructive power.

Mud and stone houses facilitated the collapse

According to the Afghan news agency Khaama Press, the earthquake destroyed several entire villages because the epicenter was close to the surface and many homes were built with stone and mud.

For now, rescue teams continue working to locate survivors among the rubble, although they say operations are being hampered by landslides that have blocked key roads.

Deputy Information Minister and Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on his social media account X that “local officials and residents are involved in the rescue efforts, and all available resources will be used to save lives.”

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News Briefs

Pope Leo XIV praises Italian society for works done in spirit of St. Francis of Assisi

September 1, 2025 Catholic News Agency 1
Members of St. Francis’ Work for the Poor, wearing t-shirts with the phrase “a helping hand to man every day,” with the Holy Father in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican City, Sep 1, 2025 / 09:47 am (CNA).

Pope Leo XIV on Monday welcomed members of the Opera San Francesco per i Poveri (“St. Francis’ Work for the Poor”) to the Vatican, thanking the society for their witness of charity according to the Franciscan tradition.  

“When you see a poor person,” the Holy Father said, recalling the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “you are placed before the mirror of the Lord and his poor Mother.”

“Likewise, in the sick, know how to see the infirmities with which Jesus took on himself,” he added. 

Each year, the Opera San Francesco per i Poveri provides a wide variety of services to more than 30,000 people. Their charitable works include managing cafeterias and health clinics, as well as providing job counseling and psychological support for those in need.  

Thanking the society for nearly 70 years of service, Pope Leo highlighted the spirit of fraternity and faithfulness that continues to guide its members since its foundation.  

“Your institution has been committed to ‘ensuring assistance and hospitality to people in need and […] promoting the comprehensive human development of the person in accordance with Christian tradition, especially Franciscan tradition, the doctrine of the Church and its Magisterium,” Leo said, quoting the society’s statutes.

Several men and women, wearing white shirts with the society’s logo and the phrase “a helping hand to man every day,” had the opportunity to individually greet the Holy Father in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall following his short address. 

Describing the Milan-based society’s founder Venerable Fra Cecilio Maria Cortinovis as a “humble doorman” with a generous heart, Pope Leo said the Lord answered his prayers by placing other generous people alongside him in order to better serve the poor.

“Thus began the beautiful adventure of which all of you are witnesses and protagonists today,” he said.

To celebrate the “story of charity” born from the faith of Cortinovis, Pope Leo told the Franciscan society to be faithful to the three “fundamental aspects of charity” outlined in their statues: to assist, to welcome, and to promote.

“Assisting means being present for the needs of others,” he said. “And in this regard, the quantity and variety of services you’ve managed to organize and offer to those who turn to you over the years is impressive.”

“This is accompanied by welcoming, that is, making room for others in our hearts and lives, offering time, listening, support, and prayer,” he added. 

Emphasizing the teaching of Pope John Paul II on the dignity and creativity of each person, Pope Leo advised his listeners to help others to discover God and their own vocation in life.  

“And so we come to the third point: promoting,” he said. “Here, the selflessness of giving and respect for the dignity of people come into play, so that we care for those we encounter simply for their good, so that they can grow to their full potential and proceed on their own path, without expecting anything in return and without imposing conditions.” 

The Holy Father imparted his blessing at the end of the private Monday audience and assured them of his prayerful accompaniment.

“Thank you for what you do and for the witness you give by your journey together!”

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