Pope Benedict XVI leads the prayer for the former president Corazon Aquino

After masses were held in different parts of the country and other Filipino communities abroad, it's the Vatican’s turn to offer prayers for the recovery of the former president Corazon Aquino from colon cancer. The prayer is headed by Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI expressed his spiritual closeness to Tita Cory through his communique issued by the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the secretary of State of Vatican, was the one who updates the pope about the condition of the former president.

After the announcement in her afternoon showbiz program The Buzz, Kris Aquino the youngest among the siblings of Cory Aquino, remained in the hospital to be with her mother. Last Sunday on The Buzz, Kris mentioned that her mom is suffering with stage 4 colon cancer and she is in pain. Tita Cory has been at Makati Medical Center for almost a month for treatment. Aside from the Vatican, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenny led a healing mass last July 22 at the Manila City Hall along with the supporters of Tita Cory including Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

According to the spokeswoman of the Aquino family, Cory Aquino is leaving her faith to God and has given up all the medication including her chemotherapy.