Pope offers prayers for typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines - Pope Benedict XVI has offered prayers for those who perished in typhoon “Pablo,” according to CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The message was relayed on Thursday by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone through the Papal Nuncio in the Philippines, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto.

“He offers fervent prayers for the deceased and for all those who are working to rescue missing persons and to assist the trapped and injured,” said Cardinal Bertone.

“Upon the beloved people of the Philippines, as a pledge of consolation, hope, and solidarity, His Holiness invokes God’s abundant blessings,” he added.

In a message to the head of the Philippine bishops’ conference, Archbishop Jose Palma, the Pope said he “was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and the suffering” caused by the recent typhoon.

The Pope sent his “heartfelt condolences to the families of all who mourn, and he assures those in distress of his spiritual closeness and concern.”