Pope prays for Philippine mudslide victims

Pope Benedict XVI, on Feb. 19, once more remembered and prayed for the victims of the landslide disaster in the Philippines that crushed a village of some 1,800 people under metres of mud and rock. "Our hearts turn to all those suffering the devastating consequences of the landslide in the Philippines,” the Pope told thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the midday “Angelus” with him. “I ask you to join me in praying for the victims, their loved ones and all those affected," the Pope said after reciting the traditional weekly prayer. "May the grieving families experience the consolation of the Lord's presence and rescue workers be assured of our concern and support," he said. Mudslides triggered by heavy rains buried the farming village of Guinsaugon, including an elementary school packed with children on Feb. 17, in the south of the island of Leyte. On learning of the disaster that day, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, sent a telegram to Bishop Precioso Cantillas, of Maasin diocese where the tragedy occurred, expressing the Pope’s spiritual closeness to the people of the Philippines and appealing for urgent help. Rescuer, on Monday, held out little hope for survivors in Guinsaugon. Battling deep, shifting mud and steady rain, search teams continued to focus on the elementary school.