Until your next visit, Pope Francis
The whole Philippines was overjoyed with the 5-day visit (Jan. 15-19, 2014) of Pope Francis. Hundreds of thousands of people lined in the streets from the Villamor Air Base to the Apostolic Nunciature (where he stayed during trip) and greeted him upon his arrival on Friday, Jan. 15.
The following day, more people eagerly awaited him as he traveled from the Nunciature to Malacañang Palace for the customary courtesy call. Following the courtesy call, the Pope held a mass for the priests and clergy at the Manila Cathedral. Again, people lined up in the streets en route to the cathedral. Outside the cathedral thousands of people waited for the pope and attended the mass via large screen outside. In the afternoon again, hundreds of thousands of people waited on the streets to greet the Pope and thousands more waited and gathered at the Mall of Asia for his meeting with families celebration.
On Saturday, hundreds of thousands attended the mass in Tacloban, the province which was devastated last year by Typhoon Haiyan,. The main reason of the Pope's visit was to visit the survivors of the said typhoon. Unfortunately his trip there was cut short due to bad weather caused by Tropical Storm Mekkhala. It was really sad since many of the people who were expecting him for the event after the mass traveled great distance just to see him.
Sunday started with his "Encounter with the Youth" at the University of Sto. Tomas. Around 20,000 youth delegates and other guests attended. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered around the campus and on the streets just to see him. I was one of them and I can say that I was indeed fortunate as I was able to see him really close.
The mass in the afternoon marked the biggest attendance for a pope as he celebrated it at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta. Around 6-7 million people attended the mass. Some of them were already in the outlying roads and streets and were only able to see him on large screens scattered around the areas. I am a Filipino and I live here in Manila and I can say that had it not been for the rain more people would have attended. As it was, most of us who were at the University of Sto. Tomas were already soaking wet and shivering that proceeding to Luneta was no longer possible. Then there were those in the other cities who were not able to attend because of the incessant rain.
Come Monday, hundreds of people again lined in the streets to see him off. Thank you, Pope Francis. We that you will grace us again with your presence next year for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
The following day, more people eagerly awaited him as he traveled from the Nunciature to Malacañang Palace for the customary courtesy call. Following the courtesy call, the Pope held a mass for the priests and clergy at the Manila Cathedral. Again, people lined up in the streets en route to the cathedral. Outside the cathedral thousands of people waited for the pope and attended the mass via large screen outside. In the afternoon again, hundreds of thousands of people waited on the streets to greet the Pope and thousands more waited and gathered at the Mall of Asia for his meeting with families celebration.
On Saturday, hundreds of thousands attended the mass in Tacloban, the province which was devastated last year by Typhoon Haiyan,. The main reason of the Pope's visit was to visit the survivors of the said typhoon. Unfortunately his trip there was cut short due to bad weather caused by Tropical Storm Mekkhala. It was really sad since many of the people who were expecting him for the event after the mass traveled great distance just to see him.
Sunday started with his "Encounter with the Youth" at the University of Sto. Tomas. Around 20,000 youth delegates and other guests attended. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered around the campus and on the streets just to see him. I was one of them and I can say that I was indeed fortunate as I was able to see him really close.
(The Pope leaving the University of Sto.Tomas after "Encounter with the Youth")
The mass in the afternoon marked the biggest attendance for a pope as he celebrated it at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta. Around 6-7 million people attended the mass. Some of them were already in the outlying roads and streets and were only able to see him on large screens scattered around the areas. I am a Filipino and I live here in Manila and I can say that had it not been for the rain more people would have attended. As it was, most of us who were at the University of Sto. Tomas were already soaking wet and shivering that proceeding to Luneta was no longer possible. Then there were those in the other cities who were not able to attend because of the incessant rain.
Come Monday, hundreds of people again lined in the streets to see him off. Thank you, Pope Francis. We that you will grace us again with your presence next year for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
Comments