Catholic News Service reported that Pope Benedict XVI offered his prayers for the peoples of the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Japan facing the death and destruction of recent typhoons and earthquakes.
“I want to demonstrate my spiritual closeness to all those who find themselves in situations of serious difficulty and I ask everyone to pray for them and for those who lost their lives,” the pope said Aug. 12 at the end of his weekly general audience.
“I hope the relief of solidarity and the help of material aid will not be lacking,” he told pilgrims gathered in the courtyard of the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo.
