Pope Francis Arrives in Tacloban

Tacloban City (PNA) — The plane bearing visiting Pope Francis landed at the Daniel Romualdez International Airport (Tacloban Airport) at 8:45 a.m. Saturday amid heavy rains as thunderous cheers arose from the expectant crowd of about 150,000 wet and cold pilgrims waiting near the airport where His Holiness will celebrate Mass.

The throng began massing at the area as early as noon Friday in order to see the Pope and hear his message to the people of Leyte who have been devastated by super typhoon “Yolanda” on Nov. 8, 2013.

However, they spent a cold and wet night as intermittent drizzles and cold winds overnight gave way to steady rains and blustery winds at dawn Saturday.

Local officials were on hand to welcome Pope Francis as he disembarked from the Philippine Air Lines (PAL) plane from Manila.

From the tarmac, the Pope proceeded to the airport’s apron where he will celebrate Mass before going to the municipality of Palo, Leyte. (PNA) SCS/CMR