Peoples' surge expected on Papal visit as CBCP announces sked

MANILA -His Holiness Pope Francis will bring his message of Mercy and Compassion” to 11 different venues in the Archdioceses of Manila and Palo during his Apostolic Visit to the Philippines onJanuary 15-19, 2015, the Catholic Church announced today.Manila Archbishop His Eminence Antonio Cardinal Tagle, said in a news conference Friday night thatPope Francis is expected to arrive in Manila from Sri Lanka (the first leg of his Asian trip) by plane past5 p.m. on January 15, and will go on a motorcade to the Apostolic Nunciature on Taft Avenue in Manila. The Nunciature, which is the embassy of the Holy See, will be the Pope’s official residence in the Philippines, Cardinal Tagle said.The following morning,January 16, Pope Francis will be officially welcomed by President Benigno S. Aquino III at Malacañan Palace on J. P. Laurel Street in Manila.The Pope will also meet Philippine authorities and members of the diplomatic corps.After the Palace reception, Pope Francis will go on a motorcade to the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral) in Intramuros for a Mass with bishops, priests, and women and men religious. Later, he will have an encounter with families at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.In Leyte Province in Eastern Visayas, Pope Francis will visit the Archdiocese of Palo. He will offer Mass near Tacloban Airport in the morning ofJanuary 17: will have lunch with the poor and survivors of natural calamities at the residence of the Archbishop of Palo. Afterwards he will bless the Pope Francis Center for the Poor in Palo, and visit the Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (Palo Cathedral) to meet with priests and women and men religious.OnJanuary 18, the Pope will meet religious leaders and young people at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila. In the afternoon, he will go on a motorcade for the Concluding Mass at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal (Luneta) Park.Pope Francis will leave for Rome onJanuary 19.Cardinal Tagle urged people to prepare for the Papal visiteven if they cannot physically make it to Manila, Tacloban or Palo in Leyte.Government and Church authorities expect people surge during Papl visitappeal against unnecessary movementBelow is the official itinerary of Pope FrancisandJanuary 15, 2015 Arrival from Sri Lanka – Villamor Air BaseMotorcade to the Apostolic Nunciature – Taft Avenue, Manila January 16, 2015Welcome Ceremony – Malacañan Palace, ManilaMotorcade to the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral),Mass with Bishops, Priests, and Religious – Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral),Motorcade to the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay. Encounter with Families – Mall of Asia Arena, PasayJanuary 17, 2015Departure for Archdiocese of Palo – Villamor Air BaseArrival at Tacloban Airport,Holy Mass – Tacloban Airport.Lunch with the Poor and Survivors of Calamities at Gonzagahaus (Residence of the Archbishop of Palo) – Palo, Leyte.Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor – Palo, Leyte and meeting with the Priests and Religious at Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (Palo Cathedral) – Palo, Leyte.Departure for Manila arriving atVillamor Air Base.January 18, 2015Brief Meeting with the Religious Leaders and Encounter with the Youth – Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila. Motorcade to Rizal Park, ManilaConcluding Mass to be attended by about 5 million people.January 19, 2015Motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature.Departure for Rome – Villamor Air Base