ROME – After a massive earthquake shook Taiwan this week, leaving at least 10 people dead, the island’s Ambassador to the Holy See has thanked the world for its solidarity, and Pope Francis specifically for his spiritual closeness.

“Right after the earthquake struck, the Taiwan government immediately activated the Central Emergency Operations Center, and launched various emergency preparedness, rescue and relief efforts in conjunction with local governments,” Ambassador Matthew Lee, Taiwan’s envoy to the Holy See, told Crux.