Pope, countries express sympathy to quake victims

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV has expressed his sympathies to the survivors of the Cebu earthquake, and offered prayers for those who died.

In an interview yesterday over Radyo Veritas, newly installed Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy said Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown called him to relay Leo’s message.

Leo visited Cebu three times when he was the prior general of the Augustinian Order.

As Fr. Robert Francis Prevost, the pontiff visited Cebu in 2004 to bless the Augustinian friary at the Santo Niño de Cebu Parish in Talisay City. He returned in 2008 to lead the blessing of the Santo Niño Spirituality Center. The following year, 2009, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

Radyo Veritas also reported that five churches under the Archdiocese of Cebu were damaged by the Sept. 30 magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, meanwhile, relayed his condolences to the families of earthquake victims.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya also conveyed his condolences in a message to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

The United Nations conveyed its sympathies and lauded authorities for their “swift response” to the disaster.

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot said he is “deeply saddened by the tragic earthquake in Cebu.”

Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia, said his country stands ready to support the Philippine government address urgent humanitarian needs.

The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry extended condolences to the  families of those killed and wished swift recovery to those hurt.

The Chinese embassy relayed its “deepest condolences to the victims, and our hearts go out to the families affected by the earthquake in Cebu.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also conveyed his sympathies to the families of earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, through its embassy, “conveys the sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Government and people of the friendly Republic of the Philippines over the devastation caused by Typhoon Opong, which has resulted in casualties and missing persons.”