MANILA—Pope Francis on Christmas eve offered prayers for the victims of Typhoon Vinta, which devastated the southern part of the country and killed some 200 people.

"I want to offer my prayers to the population of the island of Mindanao, in the Philippines, hit by a storm that has caused numerous victims and destruction," the Pope said in his weekly blessing in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

"Merciful Lord, take in the souls of the dead and comfort those who are suffering as a result of this calamity. Let's pray for these people."

• Vinta toll tops 200, tens of thousands displaced

Vinta (international name: Tembin) on Friday pounded Mindanao, home to 20 million people, wiping out at least one mountain village and prompting a massive rescue operation over the weekend.

Local police said 135 people were killed and 72 were missing in the northern section of Mindanao, while 47 were dead and 72 were missing in the impoverished Zamboanga peninsula on its western side.

Another 18 people perished in Lanao del Sur in the center of the island.

Vinta exited the Philippines on Sunday morning. --With Agence France-Presse

• Vinta leaves PH, all storm signals lifted