Pope Francis on Sunday offered his sympathies and prayers to storm victims in the Philippines after Typhoons Ulysses (Vamco) and Rolly (Goni) pummelled Luzon over two weeks, causing massive flooding.
Francis expressed his solidarity to typhoon victims in Asia's bastion of Catholicism, citing those who are suffering because of the floods.
"I am near in prayer to the dear people of the #Philippines who are suffering because of the destruction, and especially because of the flooding caused by a strong #typhoon. I express my solidarity to the poorest families and those who are doing all they can to help them," Francis said in a tweet.
Ulysses devastated parts of the Philippines last week while the country has yet to recover from the damage left by preceding storms Super Typhoon Rolly, and typhoons Quinta, Siony, and Tonyo.
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Floods triggered by Ulysses prompted calls for rescue such as in Rizal province, and Marikina City. Over the weekend, rescue and relief operations were shifted to Cagayan Valley as the hashtag #CagayanNeedsHelp trended.
On Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte checked on areas devastated by successive storms and promised victims of government aid.
