Manila: Pope Francis will bring a message of hope when he visits the Philippines in January, Church officials said on Friday, on a trip that will see him tour areas devastated by last year's super typhoon.
Millions in the fervently Catholic country are expected to turn out to catch a glimpse of the pontiff during his five-day visit, with officials planning tight security.
The pontiff will celebrate mass in the capital Manila as well as the central city of Tacloban, which was hard hit when Super Typhoon Haiyan swept in a year ago leaving more than 7,350 people dead or missing and condemning millions more to deeper poverty.
"He will come to bring the message of solidarity and hope," Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle told reporters late Friday.
"He really admires the faith and resilience of the survivors."
Authorities are preparing for unruly crowds as Filipinos have been known to hurl themselves at religious icons during frantic processions, said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, who is overseeing government preparations for the visit.
"We are a bit worried about such behaviour -- this is a living image of God," he said.
Ochoa declined to elaborate on planned security measures and refused to discuss any specific threats that authorities are worried about.
But he insisted the government would ensure the safety of the 77-year-old pontiff.
"Ninety-five percent of government preparations is all about security," he said. "We want to make sure that the pope is safe."
President Benigno Aquino will greet the pope when he arrives at Manila airport from Sri Lanka on January 15, his protocol officer Marciano Paynor said -- a break from usual protocol, as the president usually only welcomes world leaders at his palace.
Francis will be accorded state honours at the palace in Manila the next day before celebrating mass in one of the country's oldest churches and meeting with families at a large indoor stadium, Tagle said.
Francis will spend the whole of January 17 in Haiyan-devastated Leyte province where he will celebrate mass in Tacloban and meet with the faithful in the neighbouring Palo town.
The following day he will meet with youngsters at Manila's largest Catholic university, then celebrate mass at the capital's Rizal Park, which can accommodate millions, Tagle added.
The late John Paul II made the last papal visit to the Philippines, in 1995.
Millions in the fervently Catholic country are expected to turn out to catch a glimpse of the pontiff during his five-day visit, with officials planning tight security.
The pontiff will celebrate mass in the capital Manila as well as the central city of Tacloban, which was hard hit when Super Typhoon Haiyan swept in a year ago leaving more than 7,350 people dead or missing and condemning millions more to deeper poverty.
"He really admires the faith and resilience of the survivors."
Advertisement
"We are a bit worried about such behaviour -- this is a living image of God," he said.
Advertisement
But he insisted the government would ensure the safety of the 77-year-old pontiff.
Advertisement
President Benigno Aquino will greet the pope when he arrives at Manila airport from Sri Lanka on January 15, his protocol officer Marciano Paynor said -- a break from usual protocol, as the president usually only welcomes world leaders at his palace.
Advertisement
Francis will spend the whole of January 17 in Haiyan-devastated Leyte province where he will celebrate mass in Tacloban and meet with the faithful in the neighbouring Palo town.
Advertisement
The late John Paul II made the last papal visit to the Philippines, in 1995.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
India vs Sri Lanka Squad 4 Takeaways: Hardik Pandya Snubbed From Leadership Group, Big Stars Ignored And More Why Hardik Pandya Has Been Snubbed From India Captaincy Under Coach Gautam Gambhir - Explained Gautam Gambhir "Could Pick...": India Coach's Mentor Names Forgotten Pacer For Surprise Call-up Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.