Philippine President-elect Duterte to visit pope, apologise

Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte (pictured) is planning to visit the Vatican to make a personal apology to the pope for calling him a 'son of a whore'.

Davao (Philippines) (AFP) - Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte is planning to visit the Vatican to make a personal apology to the pope for calling him a "son of a whore", the politician's spokesman said on Thursday.

"The mayor repeatedly said he wants to visit the Vatican, win or lose, not only to pay homage to the pope but he really needs to explain to the pope and ask for forgiveness," Peter Lavina told reporters in the southern city of Davao.