Pope Francis is on his papal visit here in the Philippines is bigger news than the State Visit of President Barack Obama for Filipinos who has been longing to see the leader of the Catholic Church for 20 years since the last visit of Saint (Pope) John Paul II in 1995 for the World Youth Day held in Manila.
Pope Francis has been a very charismatic pope upon his election on 2013. Now with his historic visit to the Philippines, it has been declared as a special holiday. And upon his arrival at around 6PM Manila Time, his plane landed in Villamor Air base with almost a thousand people eagerly waiting for the first steps of Pope Francis to the Philippines.
And truly enough, upon his emergence out of the plane, he is greeted by officials of the Philippine government led by President Aquino and the Filipino bishops among them is Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Tagle. Wave after wave of songs and dance were presented to the Pope by children performing different songs to welcome the pontiff.
From the airport, the most awaited part is the travel of the Pope from there to the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila with all roads are filled with thousands of people on the streets just to have a glimpse of the Pope riding his Popemobile.
The emergence of the Pope to the roads of Manila seems to be the longest line made for an foreign official. And with the openness of the new popemobile, the people has a more open connection with the pope as he waves his hands for almost 40 mins while traversing the roads of Pasay and Manila.And finally upon arrving at the apostolic nunciature, many awaited if he will be seen peeking from the balcony but I guess due to high security concerns, the Pope would be following the rules for guidance and safety.
The multitudes of people who patiently waited for his arrival has triggered a new found renewal of faith. He then flies to Tacloban City which was one of the hardest hit by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) last 2013. However, there was also an ongoing Typhoon coming, whose name is "Amang", which posed as a threat to the Papal Visit in his visit to Leyte. Yet with determination and eagerness to encounter each other, the Pope safely landed in Tacloban to meet with the survivors and even had mass with them.
And many were in tears as the Pope gave an impromptu speech that was inspired with his encounter with the people. It was raining yet people came in their raincoats to participate in the mass. The whole day itinerary however was cut short as weather would affect schedules as well as safety.
With an overwhelming support, Pope Francis definitely felt the warm Filipino hospitality which will be translated into memories for both the Holy Father and the people.
And many were in tears as the Pope gave an impromptu speech that was inspired with his encounter with the people. It was raining yet people came in their raincoats to participate in the mass. The whole day itinerary however was cut short as weather would affect schedules as well as safety.
With an overwhelming support, Pope Francis definitely felt the warm Filipino hospitality which will be translated into memories for both the Holy Father and the people.
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