LOOK: Pope Francis offers prayers for Duterte

The Vatican has responded to the apology letter sent by the camp of presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte last January.

The letter, which was signed by Italian Archbishop Angelo Becciu of the Secretariat of State, was shared by Duterte’s camp to the media on Monday.

“The Holy Father offers the assurance of his prayers for you, as he invokes upon you the divine blessings of wisdom and peace,” Bicciu said in the Feb. 24 letter addressed to Duterte.

READ: Pope has forgiven me, says Duterte

Bicciu also said that the Pope “appreciates the sentiments” which Duterte expressed in his letter.

Duterte’s camp is yet to disclose the contents of his letter to the Supreme Pontiff.

The letter was sent by the Vatican months after Duterte cursed at Pope Francis during his speech at the proclamation rally of the PDP-Laban in November last year.

In his speech, Duterte said that he was one of the many people inconvenienced by the arrival of the Pope for his papal visit in the country in January 2015.

“Sabi ko, ‘Bakit?’ Sabi sarado na [ang daan]. Sabi ko, ‘Sinong darating?’ Sabi si Pope. Gusto kong tawagan, ‘Pope, p— ina ka, umuwi ka na. ‘Wag ka nang bumisita dito,” the tough-talking mayor said.

READ: Duterte ‘curses’ at Pope Francis, Lacierda fires back

His remarks drew flak from netizens and government officials.

He has since apologized for what he said. AJH/JE

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