Pope Francis tells Filipinos at Vatican he joins them in asking God 'why' the typhoon hit

Nuns wait for the arrival of Pope Francis for a ceremony to bless a mosaic dedicated to Filipino St. Pedro Calungsod, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (The Associated Press)

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has offered words of comfort to Filipinos about the deadly typhoon that devastated the island nation.

Francis told Filipinos who live in Rome they should pray what he called "the prayer of 'why,'" which he explained meant asking "why," as children repeatedly do of their parents, while not expecting answers.

Francis added: "I, too, accompany you with the prayer of the why.'"

The pope met with Filipinos on Thursday in St. Peter's Basilica, where Manila Cardinal Luis Tagle presided over a religious ceremony.

Francis also blessed a mosaic of a Filipino youth, St. Pedro Calungsod, a 17th-century martyr.

The pope says he had heard "that (your) sorrow was strong, but also the people were strong" after the typhoon.