Vatican Embassy Holds Special Mass at Jakarta Cathedral for Victims of Venezuela Earthquake

The Apostolic Nunciature in Indonesia held a special Mass to pray for the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela.

The Eucharistic celebration took place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Jakarta on July 8, and was presided over by the Chargé d'Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature, Msgr. Michael Andrew Pawlowicz.

Msgr. Pawlowicz is currently serving as Chargé d'Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature following the departure of the former Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Piero Pioppo, who concluded his mission in Indonesia in November 2025 to assume his new appointment as the Holy See's Ambassador to Spain and Andorra.

Meanwhile, on July 1, 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop Walter Erbì as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Archbishop Erbì is currently completing his diplomatic mission in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia before taking up his new assignment in Jakarta in the coming months.

Positive vibes

The Mass was attended by Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, Fr. Maharsono Probo, SJ, Rector of Jakarta Cathedral, priests of the Archdiocese of Jakarta Curia, members of the diplomatic corps, and Catholic faithful.

The invitation issued by the Apostolic Nunciature through the Archdiocese of Jakarta was warmly received by the Catholic community. The celebration served as an expression of prayer and solidarity from the Catholic Church in Indonesia for the thousands of people affected by the disaster in the Latin American nation.

In his homily, Msgr. Pawlowicz invited the faithful to unite in prayer for those who lost their lives, the injured, families mourning their loved ones, and all Venezuelans enduring the aftermath of the catastrophe.

Also present were the Ambassador of Venezuela to Indonesia, Enrique Antonio Acuña Mendoza, accompanied by embassy staff and family members, as well as the Ambassador of Spain to Indonesia, Bernardo de Sicart Escoda.

Deadly 7.5-Magnitude Earthquake

According to official figures released through July 5, the earthquake, measuring between 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck Venezuela on June 24, killing at least 3,342 people and injuring 16,740 others.

A total of 17,345 residents were left homeless. The disaster damaged 856 buildings, including 190 that collapsed, and triggered 995 aftershocks.

Humanitarian operations remain underway with the support of more than 29,500 emergency personnel, 27,400 volunteers, and approximately 4,000 international rescue workers.

The memorial Mass at Jakarta Cathedral provided an opportunity for members of the diplomatic corps, government representatives, religious leaders, the Venezuelan community in Indonesia, and the wider public to express their condolences and solidarity with the victims.

"The Embassy of Venezuela expresses its sincere gratitude for the sympathy, support, and solidarity extended by the Government of Indonesia, the Catholic Church, and the international community during this difficult time," the Archdiocese of Jakarta said in an official statement issued on July 12.