VATICAN CITY, May 29, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Following a devastating earthquake in northern Italy, Pope Benedict XVI, through the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”, has made a donation to the dioceses in the region. The contribution of €100,000 will assist aid activities undertaken by the Catholic Church in the pontifical jurisdictions of Carpi, Mantua, Modena-Nonantola and Ferrara-Camacchio.
In a comunique released by the Holy See Press Office, the Holy Father expressed his sympathy and support for those affected by the tragedy. “This contribution is intended as a concrete expression of the sentiments of spiritual nearness and paternal solicitude of the Supreme Pontiff for the persons struck by the earthquake”, the message stated.
Established in 1971, the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” assists and promotes charitable works and provides humanitarian relief in areas affected by disasters.
The contribution comes as news of a second deadly 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the province of Modena. According to ANSA News Agency, the towns of Cavazzo, Mirandola and Medolla were closest to the epicenter of today’s earthquake. So far, ten people have died as a result of the disaster in the region.
