• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
A man cleans up outside a partially destroyed building in Aleppo, Syria, Feb. 7, 2023, one day after two powerful earthquakes destroyed buildings and killed thousands in the region along the border of Turkey and Syria. (CNS photo/Courtesy Aid to the Church in Need, Xavier Stephen Bisits)

Pope Francis calls for solidarity with Turkey, Syria after earthquakes

February 8, 2023
By Justin McLellan
Catholic News Service
Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis urged all people to be in solidarity with the regions of Turkey and Syria struck by two powerful earthquakes early Feb. 6 and that are “in part already martyred by a long war.”

The two earthquakes, which both measured above 7.0 magnitude according to the United States Geological Survey, struck southern Turkey and impacted large swaths of neighboring Syria. As of midday Feb. 8 local time, the death toll had climbed over 11,200 and the number of dead was expected to climb further as rescue teams continued to search through the rubble of toppled buildings.

Pope Francis prayed for the thousands of dead and wounded at his general audience Feb. 8 and expressed his closeness to the victims, their families “and all who suffer from this devastating calamity.” The pope also thanked aid workers responding to the crisis.

A street is seen in Aleppo, Syria, Feb. 7, 2023, one day after two powerful earthquakes destroyed buildings and killed thousands of people in the region along the border between Turkey and Syria. (CNS photo/Courtesy Aid to the Church in Need, Xavier Stephen Bisits)

Hundreds of foreign engineers, medical personnel and rescue workers have been sent to Turkey and Syria to search for people trapped under wreckage and aid the thousands without shelter in freezing winter conditions.

“Let us pray together so that these our brothers and sisters can go forth in the face of this tragedy, and let us ask Our Lady to protect them,” Pope Francis said. He then led the recitation of the Hail Mary with the thousands of visitors and pilgrims gathered for his general audience.

Hours after the earthquake Feb. 6, Pope Francis sent two telegrams to Turkey and Syria to express his spiritual closeness to those affected.

A variety of Catholic charitable and aid organizations are part of the relief efforts. Caritas Internationalis, the umbrella organization of national Catholic charities, immediately launched a fundraising campaign and a request for donations of winter clothing especially for infants and young children. The charity has been active in Turkey since 1991 and in Syria since 2011, primarily providing aid to refugees.

Speaking to the L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, Bishop Paolo Bizzeti, apostolic vicar of Anatolia, said that the earthquakes were “a tragedy within a tragedy,” since the region is already “full of refugees from various countries who have fled terrible situations.”

While aid is being sent through Caritas Turkey, he said, “it is difficult to receive the aid necessary given the state of the roads.” Bishop Bizzeti added that the aid must be properly “spaced out” to ensure it lasts the duration of the relief efforts.

Aid to the Church in Need, a pontifical foundation that provides aid to Catholic communities worldwide, is supporting reparation projects in Aleppo, Syria, to allow people to return to their homes. The charity said an estimated 7,500 people slept in Aleppo’s churches, convents and other locations the night of Feb. 7. The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States has also created a fund to support Catholic dioceses and partner organizations in Turkey and Syria.

Jesuit Father Tony O’Riordan arrived in Aleppo, Syria, Feb. 7 to lead Jesuit Refugee Service’s response to the crisis. In a statement, he said JRS’ priority is to reopen its health clinic in Aleppo and help protect people against the cold. The Jesuits have also opened their building in Aziziyé to host people without shelter.

The Middle East Council of Churches is calling for aid to be sent to the region, and for sanctions to be lifted on Syria to allow for access of relief materials.

The Catholic Near East Welfare Association launched an emergency campaign to shelter survivors and provide bedding, food, medicines, nursing formula, diapers and clothing to more than 2,000 families for three months in the Aleppo and Hama areas of northern Syria.

Catholic Relief Services, the overseas aid agency of the Catholic Church in the United States, was collecting funds to assist its local partners, Caritas Turkey and Caritas Syria, particularly in Aleppo and Lattakia, Syria, where extensive damage has been reported.

Read More Vatican News

Pope gives Philadelphia three new auxiliary bishops known for humble, ‘zealous hearts’

Pope asks Mary to watch over Ukrainians, Palestinians, Israelis

Nothing is impossible for God, not even peace in Ukraine, pope says

Pope gives Syro-Malabar Catholics Christmas deadline to end dispute

Pope encourages oratories to help form good Catholics, good citizens

World’s desire for unity persists since World War II, pope says

Copyright © 2023 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Justin McLellan

Catholic News Service is a leading agency for religious news. Its mission is to report fully, fairly and freely on the involvement of the church in the world.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Quirk of calendar requires two obligations for Masses at Christmas time
  • Can one Mass satisfy my Sunday and Christmas obligation in 2023?
  • Catholic High crowned again as Baltimore’s best girls private school by magazine
  • Univ. of Notre Dame names Father Robert Dowd its new president
  • Pope gives Philadelphia three new auxiliary bishops known for humble, ‘zealous hearts’

| Latest Local News |

Baltimore City’s inclusive housing a triumph for Catholic activism

Choosing your gaze: Hispanic Youth Ministry Retreat provides a weekend of spiritual growth, unity

Catholic High crowned again as Baltimore’s best girls private school by magazine

| Latest World News |

As Eastern, Latin Catholics discover each other’s richness, their bond grows

Pope gives Philadelphia three new auxiliary bishops known for humble, ‘zealous hearts’

Pope asks Mary to watch over Ukrainians, Palestinians, Israelis

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • As Eastern, Latin Catholics discover each other’s richness, their bond grows
  • Neapolitan crèches call us to see Christ wherever we are
  • This Advent, echo John the Baptist: ‘Behold the Lamb!’
  • Pope gives Philadelphia three new auxiliary bishops known for humble, ‘zealous hearts’
  • Pope asks Mary to watch over Ukrainians, Palestinians, Israelis
  • Nothing is impossible for God, not even peace in Ukraine, pope says
  • Russia bans Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Catholic ministries in occupied region of Ukraine
  • Senate Republicans block Ukraine-Israel emergency aid over border, raising Catholic concerns
  • Baltimore City’s inclusive housing a triumph for Catholic activism

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED