Pope Francis calls for aid to Myanmar after mining landslide

Pope Francis has appealed for international aid to the Kachin State of Myanmar following a landslide in a jade mining area on January 13.

According to reports from the Associated Press, at least 12 people were killed and around 50 houses were buried or damaged.

During his General Audience on January 15, the Holy Father called for assistance to express his solidarity with those who were affected by the tragedy and prayed for those who had died.

“May these brothers and sisters, enduring such trials, not lack the support and solidarity of the international community,” he said.

The site of the landslide, Kachin state’s Hpakant township, is the center of Myanmar’s jade mining industry.

This state is also a contested area in the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.

Its inhabitants of around 1.7 million people have been claiming autonomy for more than half a decade and have created their independent army.

The conflict has displaced more than 100,000 people.

Amid this unfortunate situation, the people of Kachin received renewed hope as the Diocese of Myitkyina, where the state belongs, received a new bishop.

The 51-year-old John Mung La Sam was appointed by the pope on October 29, 2024.

During his episcopal ordination and installation on January 12, 2025, Yangon Archbishop Charles Maung Cardinal Bo encouraged the bishop to lead the people of God “on a Synodal journey.”

“As the Body of Christ, we are called to unite in prayer, action, and solidarity. Together we can confront the evils of our time and build a world that reflects the justice and peace of the Kingdom of God,” he said.

Moreover, Cardinal Bo invited displaced families to “use their homes as places of prayer and love, where faith is nourished and shared even amid hardship.”

“[May the Church be] a refuge for the displaced… [and] a voice for the voiceless and a source of healing and hope for the brokenhearted,” he added.