By Marisol Bo-oc | 12:36 PM January 20, 2022
Pope Francis has donated around 100,000 euros (P5 million) as initial financial assistance for the victims of Typhoon Odette, which ravaged provinces in Visayas and Mindanao.
Church-run Radio Veritas reported on Wednesday the Holy Father, through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines, allocated the financial aid for the rehabilitation of damaged homes and churches in provinces severely damaged by the disaster.
“It is intended to be an immediate expression of the Holy Father’s sentiment of spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement towards the people and territories affected,” the Vatican said in a statement.
The Vatican said Pope Francis’ donation will be coursed to the local churches, specifically for dioceses most affected by the disaster, in the Philippines.
The Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines will collaborate with the Vatican in distributing the money.
