The Vatican has renewed its appeal for peace, stability, and care for creation in the wake of ongoing crises in Haiti and the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Speaking at two sessions of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS), Monsignor Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer, reaffirmed the Church’s “solidarity with the people of Haiti and those affected by Hurricane Melissa,” according to Vatican News.
A Plea for Peace and Stability in Haiti
Monsignor Cruz emphasized the Vatican’s close attention to the suffering of the Haitian people, describing the nation’s “grave humanitarian and social challenges” as an urgent call to action. Referring to Haiti’s “Roadmap for Stability and Peace,” he praised the initiative as “an instrument that places at the centre of discussion the pressing and dramatic reality of Haiti,” which he said remains “marked by insecurity, poverty, and violence.”
He also drew attention to the worsening effects of climate change on vulnerable nations. The devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, he noted, underscored the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to restore hope and rebuild lives.
Recalling Pope Leo XIV’s address to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on World Food Day, Monsignor Cruz repeated the Pope’s appeal to global conscience: “The hungry faces of so many who still suffer challenge us and invite us to reexamine our lifestyles, our priorities and our overall way of living in today’s world… The international community cannot look the other way. We must make their suffering our own,” according to Vatican News.
Comfort and Compassion for Storm Victims
During a separate OAS session addressing the hurricane’s impact across the Caribbean, Monsignor Cruz conveyed “the sorrow, prayer, and spiritual closeness of Pope Leo XIV” to the people of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and the Bahamas.
Hurricane Melissa left behind extensive flooding, loss of life, and destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools. The Holy See commended the Church’s ongoing efforts in affected regions through organizations such as Caritas and Catholic Relief Services, which are “seeking to reach out to those affected in these difficult and uncertain times,” according to Vatican News.
Caring for Creation: A Shared Duty
Beyond immediate disaster relief, the Holy See also renewed its call for ecological responsibility. Monsignor Cruz reaffirmed “the imperative to care for nature through concrete actions and, above all, through significant national and international political decisions.”
He praised the work of regional bodies such as the OAS for their commitment to “raising awareness among governments and civil society about the abuses committed against nature” and promoting policies that protect the planet’s resources.
In closing, Monsignor Cruz reminded the global community that stewardship of creation is not optional but essential: “Caring for and protecting creation is the responsibility of all.”
According to Vatican News, the Holy See continues to encourage collective action that unites humanitarian aid, environmental care, and prayerful solidarity—so that, in the words of Pope Leo XIV, no one’s suffering is ignored and “our common home” is safeguarded for future generations.
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