POPE Leo XIV on Monday expressed his deep sympathies and prayed for Filipinos who were affected by Super Typhoon Uwan. “I express my closeness to the people of the Philippines who have been hit by a violent typhoon. I pray for the deceased and their families, as well as for the injured and displaced,” the pope said in a post on X. The pope also offered a prayer to Filipinos during his weekly Angelus message in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday in Rome. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Uwan has displaced over 1 million people and caused widespread damage across the country. In the hard-hit area of Catanduanes, churches were turned into evacuation centers. In a statement, the Diocese of Virac said it is turning its churches into evacuation centers for those seeking safety. “Guided by faith and charity, we open the doors of our churches to welcome evacuees. Within these walls, may they find not only physical shelter but also spiritual solace and the strength to weather the storm,” the diocese said. At the Pandan Parish church, over 300 residents sought refuge during Uwan’s landfall. The Pandan local government has provided aid to those affected by the super typhoon. The Virac diocese also urged prayers for the safety of the public. “Let us unite in prayer. May we be a source of comfort and strength to one another, embodying the love and compassion of Christ,” the diocese added.Meanwhile, Caritas Philippines launched a nationwide appeal for aid for the victims of Typhoon Tino. In a social media post over the weekend, the humanitarian arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines asked the dioceses to send their donations for the disaster response. “Thousands of families have lost their homes and livelihoods due to Typhoon Tino. Your kindness can help them rebuild their lives. Together, let us be a source of hope and healing,” it said. The donations may be sent through Caritas Philippines bank accounts (Account Name: CBCP Caritas Philippines Foundation Inc.) at ΒΡΙ (4951-007116/4951-007108); Metrobank (632-7-632028586); or BDO (004508034192). At the same time, Caritas Philippines, together with Cebu Caritas Inc. and Caritas Germany, conducted an initial coordination and assessment following the impact of Typhoon Tino in the most affected municipalities and cities in Cebu. “Let us continue to extend our solidarity and compassion to the families affected by Typhoon Tino. Together, through our collective efforts and generosity, we can help them rebuild their homes and bring hope in the midst of devastation,” Caritas Philippines added.