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Pope Francis to Yolanda survivors: God makes things new
A threatening storm forced Pope Francis to leave his meeting with survivors of super typhoon Yolanda much earlier than scheduled but the pontiff still managed to impart his message of hope to those left behind in Leyte and nearby areas.
In his prepared speech that was left undelivered, Pope Francis commended to God’s mercy "all those who have died, and [invoked] his consolation and peace upon all who still grieve."
"I greet all of you with great affection in the Lord. I am happy that we are able to meet in this Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This house of prayer, along with many others, has been repaired thanks to the remarkable generosity of many people," Pope Francis said in the prepeared speech.
"It stands as an eloquent sign of the immense effort of rebuilding which you and your neighbors have undertaken in the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda. It is also a concrete reminder to all of us that, even amid disaster and suffering, our God is constantly at work, making all things new," he added.
Pope Francis had to leave Leyte at 1 p.m. four hours earlier than scheduled because he had to rush before the effects of tropical cyclone Amang made air travel too dangerous.
Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican Press Office, in a news briefing on Saturday night in Manila said that while the speech was undelivered, it could be referenced by the public.
"Many of you have suffered greatly, not only from the destruction caused by the storm, but from the loss of family members and friends. Today let us commend to God’s mercy all those who have died, and invoke his consolation and peace upon all who still grieve," Pope Francis said.
"May we remember in a particular way those among us whose pain makes it hard to see the way forward. At the same time, let us thank the Lord for all those who have labored in these months to clear away the rubble, to visit the sick and dying, to comfort the grieving and to bury the dead," he added.
'Jesus never lets you down'
The Pope celebrated a Mass at the Tacloban Airport, had an open-vehicle motorcade to Palo town, listened to the stories of the Yolanda survivors over a quick lunch, and other activities before flying back to Manila early afternoon.
Still blessed despite shorter trip
Fr. Amadeo Alvero, social communications director at the Palo Archdiocese, said Pope Francis' visit to Leyte may have been shorter than what was originally intended, but his message still brought comfort to the residents, who have been eagerly awaiting his arrival for months.
“Maski shortened ang stay niya rito, at least may blessing na dumating,” Alvero told GMA News Online.
Pope Francis, in the Philippines for a five-day state and apostolic visit, arrived in Tacloban Saturday morning a few hours after Signal 2 was raised in Leyte and six other areas due to Tropical Storm Amang.
He was forced to cut short his trip due to the inclement weather, although wind and rain failed to stop thousands of devotees from attending the papal events, among which a Mass at the Tacloban airport.
Instead of 5 p.m. as originally scheduled, Pope Francis left Leyte shortly after 1 p.m.
Alvero said despite the short visit, the Pope was still able to touch the lives of many people in Tacloban City and Palo town, which were devastated when super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Central Philippines in November 2013.
“Parang nakaka-touch po sa ating puso 'yung mercy niya sa atin, ang mercy ng Panginoon ay napakita niya sa atin," he said. “This will also inspire us to become more merciful.” —with a report from Amanda Fernandez/NB, GMA News
In his prepared speech that was left undelivered, Pope Francis commended to God’s mercy "all those who have died, and [invoked] his consolation and peace upon all who still grieve."
"I greet all of you with great affection in the Lord. I am happy that we are able to meet in this Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This house of prayer, along with many others, has been repaired thanks to the remarkable generosity of many people," Pope Francis said in the prepeared speech.
"It stands as an eloquent sign of the immense effort of rebuilding which you and your neighbors have undertaken in the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda. It is also a concrete reminder to all of us that, even amid disaster and suffering, our God is constantly at work, making all things new," he added.
Pope Francis had to leave Leyte at 1 p.m. four hours earlier than scheduled because he had to rush before the effects of tropical cyclone Amang made air travel too dangerous.
Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican Press Office, in a news briefing on Saturday night in Manila said that while the speech was undelivered, it could be referenced by the public.
"Many of you have suffered greatly, not only from the destruction caused by the storm, but from the loss of family members and friends. Today let us commend to God’s mercy all those who have died, and invoke his consolation and peace upon all who still grieve," Pope Francis said.
"May we remember in a particular way those among us whose pain makes it hard to see the way forward. At the same time, let us thank the Lord for all those who have labored in these months to clear away the rubble, to visit the sick and dying, to comfort the grieving and to bury the dead," he added.
'Jesus never lets you down'
In his homily in Tacloban City early Saturday morning, Pope Francis at the Daniel Romualdez International Airport on Saturday consoled victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
"Jesus understands because he also underwent all the trials you have also underwent," the Pope said in Spanish. "Jesus never lets you down."
Speaking through a translator, the Pope “spoke from his heart” during his homily, sympathizing with thousands of teary-eyed Yolanda survivors and saying that while they have lost so much, Jesus will never abandon them.
“Let us look to the Christ on the cross. He understands us because he endured everything. Let us look to our Mother, Mary, and like that little child, let us grab hold of her mantle, and with a true heart, say, 'Mother,'” Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis, who is in the Philippines for a five-day apostolic and state visit, shared with Yolanda victims how he was moved to go to Leyte after witnessing the catastrophe of the super typhoon, which battered central Philippines in 2013.
“I’d like to tell you something close to my heart. When I saw from Rome the catastrophe, I felt that I had to be here, and on those very days I decided to come here. I am here to be with you. And though late, I have to say, I am here. I come to tell you that Jesus is Lord. and He never lets us down,” Pope Francis said, as members of the audience were seen wiping tears from their eyes.
The Pope celebrated a Mass at the Tacloban Airport, had an open-vehicle motorcade to Palo town, listened to the stories of the Yolanda survivors over a quick lunch, and other activities before flying back to Manila early afternoon.
Still blessed despite shorter trip
Fr. Amadeo Alvero, social communications director at the Palo Archdiocese, said Pope Francis' visit to Leyte may have been shorter than what was originally intended, but his message still brought comfort to the residents, who have been eagerly awaiting his arrival for months.
“Maski shortened ang stay niya rito, at least may blessing na dumating,” Alvero told GMA News Online.
Pope Francis, in the Philippines for a five-day state and apostolic visit, arrived in Tacloban Saturday morning a few hours after Signal 2 was raised in Leyte and six other areas due to Tropical Storm Amang.
He was forced to cut short his trip due to the inclement weather, although wind and rain failed to stop thousands of devotees from attending the papal events, among which a Mass at the Tacloban airport.
Instead of 5 p.m. as originally scheduled, Pope Francis left Leyte shortly after 1 p.m.
Alvero said despite the short visit, the Pope was still able to touch the lives of many people in Tacloban City and Palo town, which were devastated when super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Central Philippines in November 2013.
“Parang nakaka-touch po sa ating puso 'yung mercy niya sa atin, ang mercy ng Panginoon ay napakita niya sa atin," he said. “This will also inspire us to become more merciful.” —with a report from Amanda Fernandez/NB, GMA News
Tags: popefrancis, papalvisit
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