GUESS: Which Pinay actress got a note of thanks from Pope Francis?

One month before visiting the Philippines, Pope Francis relayed his thanks to a Filipina actress for sending him personal copies of her two books.

 

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said the Pope thanked actress Rita Avila for her books “8 Ways to Comfort with Grace” and “The Invisible Wings.”

 

“Dear Rita Avila, (the) Holy Father wishes me to express his gratitude for the kind gift of inscribed copies of your books. He appreciates the sentiments which prompted you to share your writings with him. His Holiness will remember you and your husband in his prayers. He invokes upon you God’s blessings of strength and peace,” the CBCP quoted a part of the letter from Msgr. Peter Wells.

 

Wells is an official at the Vatican Secretariat of State.

 

Citing information from St. Paul’s Catholic Bookstore, “8 Ways to Comfort with Grace” aims to help people in grief, and help would-be comforters how to do so.

 

On the other hand, "The Invisible Wings” is a children's book about angels and children.

 

The CBCP cited reports that said Avila and her husband, director Erick Reyes, were “overwhelmed” by the letter.

 

Pope Francis' letter reached the couple on the same month of their son Ellia Jesu's death anniversary.

 

Ellia Jesu died in December 2006 after heart surgery, the CBCP said. — Joel Locsin/VC, GMA News