Pope Francis has sent help to the catastrophe-hit Philippines and those stranded at Belarus’ border.

In a note published today by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Human Development, it announced the Pope’s gesture to show his closeness.

Philippines, Immediate Expression of Spiritual Closeness

“Following the typhoon Rai which reached the Philippines with extraordinary vehemence, affecting – according to United Nations sources – about 8 million people in 11 regions, and causing considerable material damage, Pope Francis has decided to send a first contribution of 100,000 euros for aid to the populations, through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development,” the dicastery stated.

In collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines, this sum–the communique explained–will be sent to the local Church and destined to dioceses most affected by the calamity to assist those suffering most.

Aid, Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Pope’s initiative, it stated, “is intended to be an immediate expression of the Holy Father’s sentiment of spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement towards the people and territories affected,” which he similarly expressed during his Dec. 19, 2021, Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, invoking the Virgin Mary’s protection.

On that occasion, he said: “Dear brothers and sisters, I express my closeness to the people of the Philippines affected by a strong typhoon, that destroyed many homes.”

“May the Santo Niño [de Cebú],” he underscored, “bring comfort and hope to the families experiencing the greatest difficulties; and may he inspire practical help in all of us! The first genuine help is prayer and the other aid.”

The Holy Father also sent a contribution of 100,000 euros also to help the groups of migrants stranded between Poland and Belarus and in aid of Caritas Polska “to deal with the migratory emergency on the border between the two countries.”