Editor's Note: This story has been updated. 

LES CAYES, Haiti — Cardinal Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes has been injured, while a Catholic priest died early in the  morning of Aug. 14 after an 7.2-intensity earthquake shook Haiti.

At least 1,300 people have been reported to have died, with hundreds of others either injured or missing. The reported death toll has been steadily rising. 

Speaking to ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news agency, Akim  Rikonda, director for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Haiti, said that Cardinal Langlois “is hurt, but his life is not in danger.” 

Cardinal Langlois, 62, was created the first Haitian cardinal by Pope Francis on Feb. 22,  2014.

“CRS has spoken with the priestly residence in Les Cayes, and we have  reports that the house has been severely damaged. Unfortunately, we were informed of three fatalities, one priest and two employees,” Rikonda said. 

Rikonda also reported to ACI Prensa that “all CRS personnel are  safe and sound, but, unfortunately, one of our employees’ wives died, and his baby is gravely injured."

The earthquake happened at 8:30am local time, affecting all the  country, but especially the region of Les Cayes, in the southwestern  region of Haiti. 

Rikonda also said that the local public hospital has been overwhelmed by the number of emergencies and is turning away most of the injured.

"We are currently evaluating the extent of the damage. ... Once we have  a full evaluation of the injured, dead and affected, we will proceed to  provide emergency services, especially to the poorest and most  vulnerable people."

 Pope Francis has called for international solidarity to alleviate suffering in Haiti.

“In recent hours a strong earthquake has occurred in Haiti, causing numerous deaths, injuries and extensive material damage. I wish to express my closeness to those dear people who have been hard hit by the earthquake,” Pope Francis said Aug. 15.

“As I raise my prayers to the Lord for the victims, I address a word of encouragement to the survivors, desiring that the international community will take a shared interest in them. May the solidarity of all alleviate the consequences of the tragedy.”

The Pope prayed for the people of Haiti from the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the end of his Sunday Angelus prayer. He asked the crowd gathered below to offer a Hail Mary together to Our Lady of Haiti.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed their sorrow at the news of the massive earthquake as the United States announced a new relief effort to assist the country. 

“On behalf of the bishops of the United States, I wish to express my heartfelt prayers for the people of Haiti who are mourning the loss of loved ones and are suffering from the destruction caused by the earthquake that took place this morning,” said a statement released Saturday, Aug. 14, from Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the USCCB. 

Archbishop Gomez added that the bishops are offering prayers to Archbishop Launay Saturné, the president of the bishops’ conference in Haiti, as well as “to all those who tirelessly serve the faith communities in Haiti.” 

“We stand in solidarity with the Church in Haiti in offering our prayers, in a particular way this weekend as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin,” said Archbishop Gomez.

“In these moments of continued trial, may you feel the comfort, compassion and embrace of our Blessed Mother,” said Archbishop Gomez. “Our Lady of Perpetual Help, patroness of Haiti, intercede for us!” 

In January 2010, the USCCB, along with Catholic Relief Services, the conference’s relief and development agency, immediately went into action to assist the people of Haiti following the 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12 that killed nearly a quarter of a million people. The USCCB had a special collection at Mass the weekend following the earthquake to benefit the relief effort in Haiti and has continued to play a role in the country’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Catholics, or anyone of goodwill, who wish to assist with Haitian relief efforts following the latest earthquake, should contact Catholic Relief Services, said Archbishop Gomez. 

“I am grateful to all who can support the relief effort for our brothers and sisters in Haiti,” he said.

Shortly after the USCCB released a statement on Haiti, President Joe Biden released one as well, announcing that the United States would be helping with the relief efforts. 

​​”In what is already a challenging time for the people of Haiti, I am saddened by the devastating earthquake that occurred in Saint-Louis du Sud, Haiti, this morning. We send our deepest condolences to all those who lost a loved one or saw their homes and businesses destroyed,” said Biden. 

“I have authorized an immediate U.S. response and named USAID Administrator Samantha Power as the senior US official to coordinate this effort,” he added. 

Said Biden, “Through USAID, we are supporting efforts to assess the damage and assist efforts to recover those who were injured and those who must now rebuild. The United States remains a close and enduring friend to the people of Haiti, and we will be there in the aftermath of this tragedy.”