The latest quake, measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale, shook the capital of this Central American country Saturday, prompting terrified inhabitants to run into the streets to avoid falling rubble.
«At this time of prayer, I assure my closeness to the peoples of El Salvador, who have again endured a violent earthquake,» the Pope said at midday today, when addressing pilgrims in St. Peter´s Square. «I trust that international solidarity will not hesitate to offer its generous contribution to this beloved nation.»
Two previous quakes, on Jan. 13 and Feb. 13, caused more than 1,200 deaths in this Massachusetts-size nation of 6.1 million people.
In recent days, John Paul II has made numerous appeals for solidarity in favor of El Salvador. He sent German Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council «Cor Unum,» to visit the victims and make a personal donation to relief efforts on the Holy Father´s behalf.
