Pope Francis wanted to do even more for the victims of the Albanian earthquake than praying and showing his closeness.
POPE FRANCIS
I am close to the victims. I pray for the dead, the wounded, the families. May the Lord bless these people I love so much.
The pope wanted to extend a tangible gesture. He sent 100,000 euros to help those affected by this tragedy.
It is a first contribution Pope Francis gives through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The night of Nov. 25, the ground shook especially violently in northern Albania, in the city of Durrës. The 6.4-magnitude earthquake left 40 dead and at least 600 wounded. Rescue teams continue to search for signs of life beneath the rubble. They have found some.
Pope Francis feels a special affection for Albania. It was the first European country he visited during his pontificate, in 2014. He remained profoundly affected by the history of persecution the Albanians faced during 40 years under a communist dictator.
Ángeles Conde.
Translation: Claudia Torres
