The Vatican announced that Pope Francis sent more than 100 000 euros ($113 868) for the relief of the population, in relief aid to the Philippines after typhoon Rai struck in December. The pope also will send 100 000 euros to help migrants stranded on the border of Belarus and Poland and to Caritas Poland, which has been working to assist them. By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service.

Redemptorist Mater seminarian Grzegorz Rapcewicz has spent 10 years discerning his vocation and is now set to be ordained to the Diaconate, en route to priesthood, on 12 August at St Mary’s Cathedral.