Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday expressed his sorrow for the victims of a ferry disaster in the Philippines and for thousands of people struck by a typhoon which has wreaked havoc in the southeast Asian archipelago nation. Benedict, speaking after his Angelus blessing to the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square, said he wished to assure "my spiritual closeness" to those killed, injured or rendered homeless by Typhoon Fengshen.
"I also wish to raise a special prayer for the victims of this new tragedy of the seas, in which it appears many children are involved," he added.
The pontiff was referring to the sinking of the ferry, MV Princess of the Star, in stormy seas off Sibuyan Island 300 kilometres south of the Philippines capital, Manila.
