Pope Francis says Filipinos close to his heart

Pope Francis on Sunday urged pilgrims to pray for the people of the Philippines after a series of natural disasters hit the Asian nation in recent months. In his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis spoke about the need to “pray always, without growing weary.” He also expressed his closeness to the people of the Philippines, especially the victims of the recent earthquake. "I want to express my closeness to the people of the Philippines who have been struck by a strong earthquake, and I invite you to pray for that dear Nation, which in recent days has suffered different calamities," he said. Aside from last week's earthquake, the country has also been hit by two destructive typhoons. Filipino pilgrims visiting the Vatican were touched by the Pope's message. Last Friday, Pope Francis also encouraged Catholics in the Philippines and the rest of Asia to "love the Church more and that you would share the Gospel to all people with humility and joy." He ended his message with the words: "Mabuhay ang Pilipínas! Mabuhay ang Asia! Pagpaláin kayó ng Dios!" www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/10/19/13/pope-pinoys-pagpalain-kayo-ng-diyos The Pope issued the message during the three-day Philippine Conference on the New Evangelization held at University of Santo Tomas.