Metro Manila, Philippines – Pope Leo XIV has offered prayers and condolences to victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on Tuesday night, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy said Thursday.
Uy said he received the message through Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown.“The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, called me to convey the Holy Father’s heartfelt sympathies for all the survivors of the earthquake, and his prayers for the eternal repose of the victims,” Uy said in a statement published by CBCP News.Uy added that the pope assured the faithful of his spiritual closeness as communities grieve and begin recovery efforts.In his homily for the Feast of the Guardian Angels, Uy urged the faithful to embody the mission of the angels by helping those in need.“In these difficult days… we are invited to show the spirit of the angels by sharing whatever we can – food, clothing, shelter, prayers, and even our time,” he said. “Every act of generosity becomes a way of guarding, guiding, and comforting others.”The death toll from the magnitude 6.9 Cebu earthquake was pegged at 68 after figures were validated, according to government data on Friday, Oct. 3.The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the numbers may change amid the ongoing validation of the Management of the Dead and Missing cluster led by the Department of Interior and Local Government.Nearly 560 people were injured.
