December 19, 2011. (Romereports.com) During the pope's Angelus, he expressed his solidarity for the people of the Philippines after a typhoon devastated the island of Mindanao on December 16.

Flash floods and landslides left more than 800 people missing and 650 dead along with reports of entire houses being swept away into the sea.

Benedict XVI
“I want to assure the populations of the southern Philippines, hit by a violent tropical storm, of my closeness. I pray for the victims, mostly children, the homeless and the many missing.”

The pope also spoke about the annunciation to Mary to mark the fourth Sunday of advent. Speaking from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI noted the importance of her virginity in the story of salvation.

Benedict XVI
“Those who trust deeply in God, welcome Jesus and His divine life within them, through the action of the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery of Christmas.”

This was the last Angelus before the coming Christmas activities at the Vatican that includes the unveiling of the Nativity Scene in St. Peter's Square.


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