Pope Leo XIV conveys sympathies to Cebu earthquake victims

Pope Leo XIV has conveyed his sympathies to the victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that recently struck Cebu.

His message was relayed by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown to Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy, who confirmed the Pope is praying for the deceased and survivors.

The earthquake on September 30, with its epicenter near Bogo City, resulted in at least 72 deaths.

Five churches under the Archdiocese of Cebu were damaged by the earthquake.

Archbishop Uy has ordered structural assessments of all churches and rectories in affected areas, with severely impacted northern Cebu parishes instructed not to use their buildings until safety checks are done.

Phivolcs has recorded over 3,000 aftershocks following the initial tremor.

The Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, along with the United Nations, have also expressed their condolences and lauded the swift response of authorities.