Catholic Fire

Pope Francis met Filipino political leaders at the Presidential Palace in Manila. In his speech, he stressed he wants to give his support to the victims of typhoon Haiyan, adding that he admires them for their "heroic strength” during and after the natural disaster. The Pope also highlighted that democracies should always back the family, protecting the "inalienable right to life” of the elderly, sick and unborn. READ THE POPE'S FULL SPEECH: Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you, Mr President, for your kind welcome and for your words of greeting in the name of the authorities and people of the Philippines, and the distinguished members of the Diplomatic Corps. I am most grateful for your invitation to visit the Philippines. My visit is above all pastoral. It comes as the Church in this country is preparing to celebrate the fifth centenary of the first proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on these shores. The Christian message has had an immense influence on...

November 11, 2013. (Romereports.com) The death toll is estimated at 10,000, but expected to grow. There are millions affected, and nearly 600,000 people displaced, after Typhoon Haiyan battered the Philippines with 150mph winds and 10-foot tidal waves.   PATRICK NICHOLSON Communications Director, Caritas Internationalis “People who've flown over the area say they haven't seen similar to this since the Asian Tsunami in 2004 or the Haiti earthquake, so we're talking about a massive catastrophe.” Such comparisons are proof of the destruction, and the need for immediate assistance. Catholic groups stepped up right away. Pope Francis, through the Vatican's Cor Unum Council, agreed to send $150,000 to the Catholic Church in the Philippines. The money will be distributed among the dioceses hardest hit by the storm. Meanwhile the Vatican's official aid agency, Caritas Internationalis, created a special fund where people can donate to support aid efforts. They a...