Rome, 25 June 2026

My dear Ignacio, may Jesus watch over my daughters and sons in the Caribbean Region!

I am writing these lines after learning of the earthquake in Venezuela. All of you are very much present in my prayers, as I ask the Lord to grant you strength and serenity during these moments of great uncertainty. Although we may be physically far apart, we are deeply united through the Communion of Saints: you can count on the prayers of the entire Work.

I entrust to Our Lady those who have died, those who have been injured, and those who remain missing. Let us turn to the intercession of our Mother, Comforter of the Afflicted, asking her to fill with peace the hearts of the many families who are suffering the consequences of this disaster.

In the difficulties you may experience during these days, I encourage you to bring faith and hope to those around you. It is only natural that, humanly speaking, we do not understand why these things happen; yet the Lord knows how to transform all this suffering into fruits of love. This is an opportunity to abandon yourselves into the hands of the Lord—who is an infinitely merciful Father—with the certainty that *all things work together for the good of those who love Him*.

I ask our Father, whose feast we celebrate tomorrow, to watch over you and your families, so that you may be sowers of peace and joy amid so much suffering.

With much affection, I remember you constantly in my prayers and bless you.

Your Father

Fernando