Pope, Nuncio sends message to
Leyte victims of tragedy

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI sent this letter of sympathy and compassion to Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB the Bishop of Maasin, on the tragic loss of life resulting from the mudslide in Southern Leyte.

“Deeply saddened by the news of the tragic landslide which has destroyed the village of Guinsaugon, the Holy Father offers fervent prayers for those who have died, and he nvokes divine consolation upon those who mourn.

“He prays that the relief effort will be swift and generous in its response to the disaster, and asks the Lord to grant courage and strength to all involved in the task of caring for those who have lost their homes.

“Entrusting you and your people to the protection of Mary, Comfort of the Afflicted, he cordially imparts his Apostolic blessing as a pledge of strength and peace in the Lord.”

Cardinal Angelo Sodano
Secretary of State

The letter was sent to Bishop Cantillas through Archbishop Antonio Franco, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines
Archbishop Franco will leave Manila on February 28, to become the new Apostolic Nuncio of Israel and Cyprus.

Archbishop Franco added his own message to the letter of Benedict XVI:

“In full communion with the Holy Father, allow me to convey to you and to the clergy, religious and laity of your Diocese, my sincere and deep condolence.

“In this moment of pain and loss, I assure you all of my fraternal solidarity and prayers, while I entrust the souls of all your loved ones, in God’s mercy, to be rewarded with eternal rest.”

This letter from the Vatican is not only a sign that Benedict XVI has deep concern for the Philippines. It is an indication that this country stands high in the priorities of the Catholic Church.

It is true that we are poor in economics, and in finance. But we are rich in the treasures of the spirit.

Benedict XVI will visit the Philippines next year in 2007. It will be the closest we have come to the Vatican in twelve years, since John Paul II gathered the largest crowd ever assembled by mortal man in one place at one time – five million people in and around the Luneta, for World Youth Day in 1995.