Pope expresses solidarity with Filipinos affected by 6.9 quake

Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims and communities devastated by the powerful earthquake that struck Cebu and nearby provinces on Sept. 30.

- ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Speaking in Italian during his Sunday Angelus in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 5, the Pope said he is united in prayer with those most affected by the 6.9-magnitude tremor.

“I express my closeness to the dear Filipino people, and in particular I pray for those who are most severely affected by the consequences of the earth quake," he said. "Let us remain united and in solidarity in our trust in God and in the intercession of our Blessed Mother in all danger." As of Monday, official government data showed that the death toll from the 6.9-magnitude earthquake has reached 72.