Pope Francis offers prayers for Cebu quake victims

Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu, expressing his closeness to the Philippines.

The earthquake, which struck at 9:59 p.m. on September 30 with its epicenter northeast of Bogo City, has resulted in at least 71 deaths and over 500 injured.

The city of Bogo was particularly devastated, with nearly 600 houses destroyed across the northern part of Cebu island.

Approximately 20,000 people have fled their homes due to the disaster and the thousands of aftershocks experienced, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recording a total of 7,092 aftershocks.

The national government has pledged PHP 225 million in aid and plans to establish a 'tent city' for those affected.