Pope Francis Calls for Support to Syria, Turkey after Earthquackes

Pope Francis called on the international community to continue to support rescue efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday.

“I am praying for them with emotion and I wanted to say that I am close to these people, to the families of the victims and everyone who is suffering from this devastating disaster,” he said.

Earlier, Pope Francis expressed his "spiritual closeness" and "solidarity" with those affected by two powerful earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday.

Catholic priest Imad Daher was among the dead in Syria.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, noted that Francis was "deeply saddened" to learn of the "huge loss of life" caused by the disaster and offered his "heartfelt condolences" to those mourning losses.