Pope Leo XIV prayed for the dozens of people killed in a recent earthquake in the Philippines and welcomed several new Blesseds into the Church during the Angelus on Sunday. A massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Philippines on June 8, triggering tsunami warnings across several countries. Speaking at the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo expressed sorrow for the 37 people killed in the quake and its aftermath.“I assure my closeness to the people of the Philippines, who were struck a few days ago by a strong earthquake,” he said. “I pray for the deceased and their families, for the injured, and for all those who are suffering because of this calamity.”
Pope Leo also welcomed the beatifications of several new Blesseds from various parts of the world. He recalled diocesan priests Fr. Venceslao Drbola and Fr. Giovanni Bula from Moravia, and Fr. Giovanni Świerc and eight companions, Polish Salesian priests. “All were beatified as martyrs, because they were victims of persecution by totalitarian regimes on account of their fidelity to Christ,” he said. The Pope then pointed to Blessed Nazareno Lanciotti, an Italian missionary priest beatified in Mato Grosso, Brazil, on Saturday, saying he defended the poorest and most vulnerable.“May the example and intercession of these courageous witnesses sustain the mission of priests and of the whole Church,” he concluded.