Pope hugs weeping girl who begs to know why God allows children to be abandoned to drugs and prostitution

The Pope was moved to hug a weeping 12-year-old girl who broke down in tears as she asked why God allowed children to be abandoned to a life of drugs and prostitution.

The question was raised during the Pontiff's visit to the Philippines by the youngster, who begged for answers ahead of an open air mass for millions in Manila.

The emotional plea prompted Pope Francis to discard his prepared speech and give a heartfelt response to the girl.

He said there is "no answer" to the question of suffering - but told people it was only by "learning to cry" with those who suffered that they could become "good Christians."

The girl, later named as Glyzelle Palomar, a former homeless child taken in by a church charity, asked:

Her tears moved Pope Francis, who has built a reputation for his progressive and honest leadership, to deliver a direct response after giving the girl a hug.

The question of suffering - also known as the problem of evil - is one of the oldest and most enduring theological and philosophical problems, and for a religious leader to suggest there is 'no answer' to the problem would be seen as highly unusual.

It centres around the apparent discord between the idea of an all-powerful, all-loving deity and the existence of suffering and those who would cause it.

Several possible solutions have been mooted, including the idea that evil is permitted to exist for the 'greater good' - such as, for instance, the existence of free will, or to 'earn' a place in the afterlife.

Other arguments postulate that 'evil' is not an entity in itself, but merely the absence of good.