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Pope Francis prayed Sunday for the people of Turkey and Syria who are suffering after devastating earthquakes killed more than 28,000 people. “Dear brothers and sisters, let us continue to be close with prayer and concrete support to the earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey,” the pope said in his Angelus address on February 12. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis described how he was moved by the images of pain and suffering from the catastrophe that he saw on television and urged people to “pray and think of what we can do for them.” The pope spoke as rescue efforts continued over the weekend with rescuers pulling more than a dozen survivors out of the rubble on Saturday. Catholic charities are working to respond to the disaster by providing shelter, food, and other humanitarian aid.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253621/pope-francis-urges-support-for-earthquake-victims-in-turkey-and-syria
Pope Francis entrusted Nicaragua to the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary on Sunday after Bishop Rolando Álvarez was sentenced to 26 years in prison by Daniel Ortega’s dictatorship. “The news from Nicaragua has grieved me a great deal, and I cannot but remember with concern Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, whom I care about deeply,” the pope said on February 12. Speaking at the end of his Angelus address, Pope Francis said that he was also praying for the 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners who were deported to the United States and “for all those who are suffering in that dear nation.” Bishop Álvarez, an outspoken critic of Ortega’s regime, was charged with being a “traitor of the homeland” on February 10. Ortega’s government has in recent years detained, imprisoned, and likely tortured numerous Catholic leaders, including at least one bishop and several priests. His government has also taken action to repress Catholic radio and television stations, and driven Catholic religious orders, including the Missionaries of Charity, from the country.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253622/pope-francis-asks-virgin-mary-to-intercede-for-nicaragua-after-bishop-sentenced-to-26-years-in-prison
Today, the Church celebrates Saint Catherine de Ricci. Born to an ancient Tuscan family, she received the religious veil in the convent of Dominicanesses at Prat, in Tuscany in the year 1535 at fourteen years of age. She experienced the sufferings of Christ’s passion for about two years. Her reputation for extraordinary sanctity and prudence drew her many visits from a great number of bishops, princes, and cardinals. She was canonized in 1746.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-catherine-de-ricci-146