Pope Leo XIV Offers Solidarity After Indonesia's 7.7-Quake Kills 53
Updated
Updated · Vatican News - English · Aug 17
Pope Leo XIV Offers Solidarity After Indonesia's 7.7-Quake Kills 53
3 articles · Updated · Vatican News - English · Aug 17
Summary
53 people were confirmed dead after Indonesia’s 7.7-magnitude quake, prompting Pope Leo XIV to send a telegram of spiritual solidarity to Archbishop Paulus Budi Kleden of Ende.
135 people were injured and about 13,000 left homeless, with the pope urging church and civil authorities to continue humanitarian aid and praying for emergency crews.
More than 900 homes were destroyed, another 450 damaged, and at least 167 public buildings—including schools, health centers and churches—were left unusable.
The August 15 quake struck Flores in East Nusa Tenggara and was followed by numerous aftershocks; hours later, a separate 6.9-magnitude quake hit Sumatra, compounding the disaster.