MANILA (SE): It was a long wait for the beleaguered people of The Philippines, but after a series of disasters and tragedies Pope Francis has finally expressed his solidarity with all those affected by the violence and assured the people of Mindanao of his prayers.
 
Pope Francis gave his message to Archbishop Martin Jumoad at the Pallium Mass on the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul at the Vatican on June 29.
 
“When I kissed his hand and told him that I am from Mindanao in Ozamiz, I could sense that he wants to listen more and then he told me that ‘I know that you suffered a lot more’,” Archbishop Jumoad told Radyo Veritas.
 
“It was a very touching moment because immediately he said, ‘I know you suffered a lot. I know, I know and for that I pray for you and for your people’,” the archbishop said.
 
The government claims 351 men from the Maute group have been killed along with 85 security forces and 39 civilians since the fighting erupted in Marawi City on May 23.
The conflict has also displaced more than 300,000 people, mostly from the Muslim community.
 
The Maute also continue to hold a number of hostages including Father Chito Soganub, the vicar general of the diocese.
 
Archbishop Jumoad and Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, from Lipa, were among the 32 archbishops from around the world who received the pallium as a symbol of their authority as pastors in unity with the pope.