Vatican City, Nov 21, 2013 / 16:37 pm
Pope Francis met with the Filipino community of Rome today, encouraging them in the wake of their native country's recent disaster to never tire of praying, even if the prayer is that of a child.
Referencing the typhoon that wreaked havoc in the Philippines, Pope Francis encouraged, "In these moments of sadness, let the power of this prayer be the most useful: 'the prayer of why.'...And I also accompany you, with this 'prayer of why.'"
"There are many things that we cannot understand. When children begin to grow, they don't understand things and begin to ask questions of their father or mother," the Pope explained to the group gathered in St. Peter's Basilica on Nov. 21.
A child asks "one after another 'why's" but does not "wait for a response." Rather, "the child in his insecurity needs his father and mother watch over him. He needs the eyes of his parents, he needs the heart of his parents," the Pope continued.