Yolanda victims pray for Pope Francis’ healing

MANILA, Philippines — The Archdiocese of Palo, Leyte continues to offer prayers for the swift recovery of Pope Francis, who visited their province in January 2015 to console survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

In an interview with Radio Veritas, Archbishop John Du emphasized that praying for the 88-year-old pontiff’s healing is a demonstration of their love and gratitude.

“We remember how Pope Francis brought a profound sense of hope and solidarity to our communities affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). His presence as the vicar of Christ served as a powerful
 symbol of God’s mercy and compassion, reminding us that we are not alone in our collective efforts of healing and rebuilding,” said Du.

“Our continued prayers and masses offered for his health and well-being are our powerful way of showing our love to the Holy Father,” he added.

In November 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda made landfall in the country and caused catastrophic destruction across the Visayas region, particularly in the province of Leyte, claiming approximately 6,300 lives.

Pope Francis visited the Philippines from Jan. 15 to 19, 2015, and met with survivors in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte.

Francis has been hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital in Rome since Feb. 14 due to double pneumonia.

The Vatican reported that as of Feb. 24, Francis’ clinical condition, though severe, has shown slight improvement.

Medical reports indicate that the pope has not experienced asthma-like respiratory distress and some laboratory results have shown progress.

“The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels,” it said.

“Given the complexity of the clinical picture, the doctors are prudently maintaining their cautious prognosis,” it added.

‘Pray, not spread fake news’

Speaker Martin Romualdez denounced yesterday the spread of false reports claiming Pope Francis had passed away, calling it a “disturbing display of reckless misinformation.”

In a statement, Romualdez urged the public to remain vigilant against fake news, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before sharing it.

“This is a troubling reminder of how ruthless and irresponsible fake news has become. Spreading false information about the Holy Father not only causes unnecessary alarm but also undermines the truth at a time when facts matter more than ever,” he said.

His remarks came in response to a viral post falsely claiming that Pope Francis had died at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital.

The hoax quickly gained traction online before the Vatican dismissed it as false.

He urged the public to verify information before sharing it, emphasizing that digital responsibility is crucial in preventing misinformation from taking root.

“Social media must not be a tool for deception,” Romualdez said. “We all have a duty to be responsible with the information we consume and share. Misinformation can erode trust, create confusion and cause distress, especially when it involves a leader as deeply respected as Pope Francis.”

The Speaker also encouraged the faithful to focus on prayers for the pope’s well-being rather than engaging in the spread of falsehoods.

“Let us turn our energy toward prayer and goodwill. Pope Francis inspires millions with his wisdom and compassion, and we pray for his continued strength and good health,” he said.

He also urged digital platforms to take stronger action against disinformation, calling for stricter measures to curb the spread of fake news.

“This is a serious issue that demands action. We must work together – governments, media organizations and tech platforms – to ensure that truth prevails over deception,” Romualdez said. — Jose Rodel Clapano