An official of the Vatican on
Tuesday raised hopes among survivors of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
in Leyte province that they could be getting a visit from Pope Francis.
Cardinal Robert Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum,
said this during a Mass at the La Libertad Mission Church in Palo town
in Leyte, one of the hardest-hit areas.
"You go
now because I might be going there also," an article posted late Tuesday
on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines quoted Sarah as recalling what the Pope told him.
Earlier, the Pope had donated an initial US$150,000 in emergency aid through the Cor Unum.
Pope Francis sent Sarah to the Philippines to visit the areas affected
by Yolanda, and to extend more assistance for rehabilitation efforts.
“I would not tell you the date but the Holy Father has been telling me ‘I might be also going there,’” Cardinal Sarah said.
The Vatican official's Sarah's statements drew cheers and applause from those attending the Mass, the CBCP said.
Sarah, 68, returned to Manila late Tuesday afternoon and will fly to Rome on Thursday, January 30.
Palo Archbishop John Du, who was with the cardinal the whole day, was elated over Sarah’s announcement.