The nuns knelt in prayer after firefighters rescued them in the town of Norcia. Emergency services have also asked local priests to help maintain calm there.
Norcia's historic Basilica of St. Benedict and it's co-cathedral were destroyed in the quake and parts of the town have been sealed off.
The Monks of Norcia also say their church was "flattened".
There are no reports of injuries.
An elderly nun is lead to safety by a member of the emergency services
The Norcia earthquake comes days after a previous quake in the area which was felt in the capital Rome, around 100 miles away. Rome's Metro system has been suspended as a precaution.
Today's quake also comes nearly two months after a major earthquake in central Italy killed almost 300 people and destroyed several towns.
