Call for prayers as Italy suffers another strong earthquake
Another powerful earthquake struck Italy near the town of Norcia on Sunday. No deaths have been reported, but more than 20 people are reported to be injured. An ancient basilica has been destroyed and a number of churches have been damaged. The tremors set off car alarms as far away as Rome and Venice.
In his address to pilgrims during the Angelus, Pope Francis said: "I express my closeness to the people of central Italy.. I pray for the wounded and the families that have suffered major damage; as well as for the personnel involved in rescue efforts and in aiding the victims."
The Holy Father concluded: "May the Risen Lord give them strength, and the Madonna watch over them."
Sunday's earthquake was the latest in a series of seismic events to strike central Italy. Earlier this month, Pope Francis visited the area to express his closeness to victims of a 6.2 quake that hit the region in August, killing almost 300 people.
The earthquake that struck Norcia on Sunday was even stronger, measuring approximately 6.5 on the Richter scale. It is believed to be the strongest quake in Italy in decades.
The Benedictine Monastery at Norcia tweeted early Sunday morning: The Basilica of St Benedict is destroyed, flattened by most recent earthquake.
Later they tweeted this message with the image on left: Dear friends, Around 7:40 AM, a powerful earthquake struck close to Norcia. The monks are all safe, but our hearts go immediately to those affected, and the priests of the monastery are searching for any who may need the Last Rites.
The Basilica of St Benedict, the historic church built atop the birthplace of St. Benedict, was flattened by this most recent quake. May this image serve to illustrate the power of this earthquake, and the urgency we monks feel to seek out those who need the Sacraments on this difficult day for Italy.
Relying, as ever, on your prayers and support, Fr Benedict Subprior
Several historic sites in Rome were closed for a few hours in order to check for damage. Cracks had formed on the facade of the Papal Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls and some plaster fell, but experts have decided that the building is safe. Vatican firefighters also conducted checks at St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican's other basilicas but found no damage.
The region is still suffering from aftershocks, and victims of the quake have asked for prayers.
"We will rebuild everything -- the houses, the churches, the shops. We are dealing with marvellous territories, territories of beauty," Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi told reporters on Sunday.