Madonna T. Virola

“Bishop Chacko is a man of righteousness and consistency, a man for the poor,” said  Fr. Michael John.

The 60-year-old, whose name was not identified, was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment and was scheduled for an operation on a fractured collarbone. The diocese’s AM radio station, DzWT, reported he was already “in stable condition”.

The Pope expressed solidarity with those suffering, those who have lost loved ones, saying he was "deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and damage caused by the earthquake in the Ishikawa prefecture."

Pope Francis began the year 2023 by mourning Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 and died on December 31, 2022.

“Dare to build a different world, a world of listening, dialogue, and openness,” said Pope Francis

Around 6,500 people attended the customary end-of-year celebration, and several more awaited Pope Francis outside the Basilica.

The act of reaching out brought joy to both the benefactors and the recipients.

"Give people a chance, many girls have been rehabilitated and are trying to start a new life.”

“The reason why I joined (the mission) is because I have been concerned forever about sovereignty," said Fr.  Robert Reyes.

"The wonder of Christmas" is that an infinite God "becomes finite for our sake," said Pope Francis.