In this first emergency phase, Pope Francis, through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has sent a contribution of 100,000 dollars for the aid of the populations, a statement from the Holy See Press Office announced today. Last week, the statement reads, “violent earthquakes and a tsunami devastated various areas of Indonesia – especially the island of Sulawesi – causing over 1,400 deaths ascertained so far, and thousands of injuries”. Moreover, in these hours, “the volcano of Mount Soputan, on the island of Sulawesi, began to erupt, threatening a population already afflicted by the earthquake and the anomalous wave”. Hence the Papal decision to allocate this sum, which “is intended to be an immediate expression of the feeling of spiritual closeness and fatherly encouragement from the Holy Father towards the people and territories affected and will be shared, in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature, among the areas most affected by the catastrophe”, the Dicastery explained. During the Angelus on Sunday 30 September, Pope Francis prayed for those affected, “for the deceased, unfortunately numerous, for the injured and for those who have lost their homes and their jobs. May the Lord console them and support the efforts of those who are trying to bring assistance”. This contribution via the Dicastery, “which accompanies the Holy Father’s prayer for the beloved Indonesian population, is part of the aid that is being activated throughout the Catholic Church and which, in addition to various Episcopal Conferences, involves numerous charitable organizations”, the statement reads.