2018年2月6日深夜,花蓮縣近海發生黎克特制6級地震,震度在花蓮縣及宜蘭縣高達7級,至少4棟建築倒塌或傾斜,其中雲門翠堤大樓最為嚴重。目前地震共造成6人死亡、258人受傷、67人失聯。教宗方濟各在2月7日向花蓮地震災民致意慰問,電報由聖座國務卿帕羅林樞機署名,並寄給花蓮教區黃兆明主教。
致天主教花蓮教區黃兆明主教:
教宗方濟各願向台灣近日地震的所有災民表達關懷之情,教宗保證為亡者和傷者祈禱。在鼓勵投入救援行動的民政當局和救難人員之際,教宗也懇求天主賜予所有台灣人民力量與平安。
聖座國務卿帕羅林樞機 敬上
The Most Reverend Philip Huang Chao-ming
Bishop of Hwalien
His Holiness Pope Francis wishes to express his solidarity with all those affected by the earthquakes in Taiwan these past days, and he offers the assurance of his prayers for those who have lost their lives and for those who have been injured. As he encourages the civil authorities and emergency personnel engaged in rescue efforts, His Holiness willingly invokes upon all the Taiwanese people the divine blessings of strength and peace.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State