Pope Leo XIV announced an emergency aid package of 100,000 euros [1] to support victims of recent earthquakes in Venezuela.

The gesture follows a humanitarian crisis that left 134 people dead [1] and nearly 1,000 others injured [1]. By providing both financial resources and a platform for survivors, the Vatican is addressing the immediate material needs and the psychological trauma of the affected population.

On June 28, 2026, the Pope led the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace window to honor those who died in the disasters [2]. This public prayer served as a call for international solidarity and spiritual support for the Venezuelan communities struggling to rebuild.

Alongside the financial aid, a new initiative is underway to bridge the gap between the survivors and the papacy. Venezuelan photojournalist Lola Gómez is coordinating a project to convey the personal testimonies of earthquake survivors directly to the Pope [3].

The project aims to ensure that the human cost of the disaster is not reduced to statistics. By documenting the lived experiences of those in the disaster zones, Gómez intends to give survivors a direct channel to express their suffering and resilience to the head of the Catholic Church [3].

The Vatican said the 100,000 euro [1] aid package was announced on a Thursday in late June 2026, coinciding with the period of the Angelus prayer [1, 2]. The funds are designated as emergency assistance to help stabilize the regions most impacted by the two earthquakes [1].

“The Vatican announced 100,000 euros in emergency funding”

The Vatican's response combines immediate financial relief with a strategic effort to maintain visibility for the Venezuelan crisis. By pairing a monetary grant with a testimonial project led by Lola Gómez, the Church is leveraging its global influence to keep the international community focused on the long-term recovery needs of Venezuelan survivors beyond the initial disaster window.