Pope Francis has asked for prayers and assistance for typhoon "Odette" victims in the Philippines.

CBCP News said the Pope expressed his closeness to Filipinos suffering from the devastation caused by typhoon on Dec. 16 after praying the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square.
"I express my closeness to the people of the Philippines hit by a strong typhoon, which has destroyed many homes,” the Pope said.
“May the Santo Niño bring consolation and hope to the families most in need; and may he inspire all of us to give concrete help. The first concrete help is prayer, and other aids,” he added.
The strong typhoon claimed lives and rendered thousands homeless
As of Sunday, more than 140 people are believed to have been killed after the typhoon ravaged the central and southern regions of the archipelago.
About half of the 142 deaths reported so far from the typhoon were in the province of Bohol in the Visayas region.
Caritas Philippines, the humanitarian arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, is mobilizing relief work for the devastated dioceses.