After Devastating Earthquake, U.S. Church and Pope Francis Offer Prayers for Haiti

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Currents News Staff

At the end of his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis prayed for the people of Haiti.

“While I lift up my prayer to the lord for the victims, I extend my word of encouragement to the survivors, hoping that the interest of the international community to help might move toward them,” the pontiff said.

The earthquake’s center was about 80 miles west of the country’s capital of Port-Au-Prince and was stronger than the 7.0 magnitude quake that devastated Haiti in 2010.

Workers are sifting through the rubble of collapsed buildings and homes.

Severe weather is likely to impact those recovery efforts.  Forecasters expect some areas of Haiti to get as much as 15 inches of rain through Tuesday.

CNN spoke with Father Louis Merosne, pastor of St. Anne’s Cathedral in Anse-à-Veau, as he was driving around his community offering food and help. 

He says many churches have been damaged or destroyed.

“Even though we have such destruction here in my parish–– we’re lucky in comparison to some of the parishes in my diocese where both the church and the rectory have completely collapsed,” Father Merosne said. 

Expressing heartfelt prayers for the people of Haiti, U.S. bishops released a statement.

“In these moments of continued trial, may you feel the comfort, compassion, and embrace of our Blessed Mother. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, patroness of Haiti, intercede for us!”