President Aquino to Thank Pope Francis for Inspiring Christians

President Benigno S. Aquino III said he will express his gratitude to Pope Francis for inspiring Christians, and raise the issue of social reforms in the Philippines when they meet in January.

Pope Francis will arrive in Manila on January 15 for a five-day visit to the Philippines, that includes a trip to typhoon-ravaged Leyte.

“Siguro mapapag-usapan namin ‘yung estado ng simbahan na kinabibilangan namin dito,” the President said during the Youth Summit 2014 held in Quezon City on Friday morning.

“Siguro mapapag-usapan rin namin ang mga ginagawang hakbang para magkaroon ng tinatawag na “Kingdom of God” here on this earth, habang nandito tayo.”

He also said he will thank the Pope for inspiring Catholics worldwide by steering the Catholic Church through major social issues.

The Chief Executive said he admires Pope Francis for working to get closer to the flock he shepherds, compared to the past when previous church leaders were disconnected from church members.

President Aquino graced the biannual gathering of the Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan (KKB), the youth arm of the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church Worldwide, at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Youth Summit was first held in 2004 as an annual gathering of young people, but became a biannual event starting 2010.

The summit was held in Canada, Italy, Spain, the United States, and Manila. The Philippine summit is the last leg of the event.

The KKB focuses on training young people to become leaders who espouse integrity and excellence. It conducts outreach programs that aim to uplift the welfare of the youth worldwide.

This year’s summit carried the theme, “Fearless.”(PCOO/ PND (as)