After a dangerous but faithful Nazareno tradition of Philippine Catholics, Filipinos' faith was set on fire again when Pope Francis came to the Philippines. It was truly a blessed January for Catholic devotees. Around 7million Filipino Catholics came to see and to listen to Pope Francis' good news and preach. An open-air mass in the Philippines on Sunday, beating the old record for the largest papal event in history, as he continues to serve the people in a rain-soaked crowd to build a “world of justice, integrity and peace”.
January 16, 2015. 2nd Day visit of Pope Francis. The pope came around 9:15 am for a welcome ceremony in the Presidential palace, Malacañang, with a courtesy visit to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. Then, 10:15 am, the Pope had a meeting with the civil authorities and the diplomatic corps and held a speech followed by a motorcade to the Manila Cathedral. 11:15 am, The Pope held a holy mass with bishops, priests, and consecrated persons at the Manila Cathedral. Right after the mass, Pope Francis headed to Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation headquarters in Manila to meet the abondoned childen which was not part of his itinerary. Around 5:00 pm when the Pope had a motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature to the MOA Arena for the Encounter with the Families.
January 17, 2015. The highlight of the Pope's visit to the Philippines. Pope Francis traveled to Tacloban City at 8:15 am and welcomed by Typhoon Amang. He had a Concelebrated Mass near Tacloban airport in which the Yolanda survivors waited for him inspite of the weather. Right after the mass, he had a motorcade to the Archbishop's Residence in Palo, Leyte. Due to bad weather, all of the Pope's schedule in Tacloban was shortened because the pilots of Philippine Airlines flight 6011 advised them to leave at 1:00 pm. Around 2:30 pm when the pope arrived in Villamor Air Base.
January 18, 2015.Meeting with Youth Leaders and Concluding Mass. The Pope started his 3rd day in the Philippines meeting with leaders of various religions at UST in Manila on 9:45 am. 10:30 am, he had a meeting with the youth in the sports field of UST, and the Pope gave a speech followed by a motorcade going to Rizal Park. 3:30 pm, the Pope had a Concluding Mass at Rizal Park, Manila.
January 19, 2015. The last day of the Pope's visit in the Philippines. 9:45 am, Departure ceremony at the presidential pavilion of the Villamor Air Base and around 10am, the Pope traveled back to Rome.
Here are some of the quotable quotes from Pope Francis' PH visit:
"It is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good."
"When you lose the capacity to dream, you lose the capacity to love."
"Filipinos are called to be outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia"
"We don't need young museums. We need holy young people..."
"We have a Lord who is capable of crying with us, capable of walking with us in the most difficult moments of life."
"Women are able to pose questions that we men do not understand"
"What is the most important subject you have to learn in life? To learn how to love. And this is the challenge that life offers you."
The filipinos seemed to be sad that the Pope cannot stay longer in the Philippines. Some became emotional and took tears, some prayed and some were happy, that they were blessed and inspired by the Pope's Holiness and love to the people.
Filipinos faith become more stronger as the Pope give directions and preach that is key to peace and love towards Jesus Christ, the Mighty Savior.
Source : https://twitter.com/Pontifex