Pope Francis Sets Philippines Visit January 15 to 19

Manila (PNA) — Pope Francis will be in the country from January 15 to 19 for the apostolic visit to the Philippines, which also marked the 20th anniversary of the World Youth Day in Manila in 1995.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Tuesday made the announcement during a press briefing at the Arzobispado de Manila in Intramuros, Manila.

“Accepting the initiation of the Civil Authority and the Bishops, His Holiness Pope Francis will make an apostolic visit to Sri Lanka from January 12 to 15 and to the Philippines from January 15 to 19, 2015,” said the head of the Archdiocese of Manila.

Tagle, however, did not reveal the itinerary or the schedule of the visit, as they will wait for the announcement of the Vatican later this year.

“The program of the visit will be made public by the Holy See later in the year,” he said.

Pope Francis earlier expressed intentions to visit the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas, particularly Tacloban.

Tagle noted that the news of the papal visit was officially released by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto.

It was formally announced simultaneously in Rome (12 noon) and in Manila (6 p.m.) on July 29.

On the other hand, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said the Aquino government welcomed the Vatican’s announcement regarding the Holy Father’s visit to the country early next year.

“The government joins the Filipino people in welcoming the Vatican’s announcement in confirming that His Holiness, Pope Francis will make an apostolic visit to the Philippines on 15 to 19 January 2015, Pope Francis’ visit marks the 20th anniversary of the celebration of World Youth Day in Manila that was presided over by now Saint John Paul II,” he said.

Coloma added, “Filipinos will most certainly accord to Pope Francis the warmth of their hospitality and manifest the fervor of their faith as they welcome the first pontiff from South America. President Aquino is calling on all concerned government offices and the citizenry to work closely with the papal visit committee in ensuring the success of the apostolic visit of Pope Francis.”

With this, the Malacanang official said President Aquino has designated Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa, Jr. as the government’s lead point person for the pope’s visit.

On the part of the Church, Tagle will be the head of the apostolic visit committee. (PNA) JBP/FGP/JSD