Pope donates 170 million won to earthquake-hit Venezuela

Pope Leo XIV has donated 100,000 euros ($114,000), or about 170 million won, to Venezuela following a series of powerful earthquakes that caused mass casualties.

The funds were delivered through the Papal Almonry, the office overseeing the pope's charitable activities, after consultations with the apostolic nuncio to Venezuela and other officials, according to Italy's ANSA news agency on Thursday.

The Vatican said it would "continue to pay close attention to the situation in Venezuela and make efforts at the level of the Church."

The United States also announced plans Thursday to provide $150 million in aid to Venezuela.

The State Department said President Donald Trump "immediately approved" significant financial assistance, search-and-rescue operations, and cooperation with Venezuela's transitional government to address the urgent needs of the Venezuelan people within hours of the earthquake.

The financial assistance comprises $50 million channeled through organizations operating in Venezuela — including World Vision, Samaritan's Purse, Catholic Relief Services, International Medical Corps, the International Organization for Migration and the World Food Programme — along with a $100 million contribution to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Venezuela Humanitarian Fund.

Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced in a televised briefing Thursday that the earthquake has killed at least 188 people and injured 1,520 others.