MANILA - Like many Filipinos, Pope Benedict XVI is one in praying for former President Corazon Aquino, who is suffering from colon cancer. 

The Pope expressed his “spiritual closeness” to Aquino through a communiqué issued by the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, had updated the Pope on Aquino’s health conditition.

“The Holy Father has asked that you be informed that he is remembering you in his prayers,” Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams told Aquino.
 
Former Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa delivered the letter to Mrs. Aquino Wednesday at the Makati Medical Center where the former president is confined. De Villa said a grandson of Aquino read the message to her.
 
“She (Mrs. Aquino) was deeply consoled,” said de Villa, who also chairs the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV). “Nakakatuwa noong binasa sa kanya ‘yung message…she smiled.”

De Villa added that the Holy Father is very much concerned about Aquino’s well-being that he regularly gets an update on her condition.

“The Holy Father is very interested about her condition…ina-update naman siya ng [Papal] Nuncio kaya nakakapadala ng message agad-agad. And to think that the Holy Father is not so well himself, yet, early Monday morning, may e-mail na kay Archbishop Adams,” she told ANC on Thursday.

Peaceful but powerful 
 
A mass, said by Fr. Catalino Arevalo, was also held inside Mrs. Aquino’s room at the hospital together with her immediate family.
 
“The Mass is her sustaining comfort now. It was such a privilege sharing the Eucharist in her presence. Even in her sick bed, looking so incredibly weak, she exuded an aura of a peaceful yet powerful presence – the presence of the simplicity of absolute goodness,” de Villa said.
 
Aquino’s daughter, Kris, said on Sunday that her mother’s condition has deteriorated.

"She is in pain already, so please pray for her so that it could be lessened," Kris said over the weekend.
 
"We don't know how many more hours, days and weeks God will give her, but please help us pray that my Mom won't suffer too much pain," she said.
 
A spokeswoman for the family earlier said Aquino, 76, had given up all medical intervention, including chemotherapy, and was leaving her fate to God.