MANILA, Philippines?Pope Benedict XVI is also praying for former President Corazon Aquino, who is battling colon cancer.

The Pope conveyed his concern for Aquino through a message sent Thursday morning by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, to their envoy to the Philippines, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams.

Adams relayed the Pope's message through a letter that was read to the former president at her bedside by the former Philippine ambassador to the Vatican, Henrietta De Villa.

?Cardinal Bertone has communicated that the Pope is spiritually close to Your Excellency in your suffering,? Adams said in his letter to the former Philippine president.