Pope’s itinerary set, Cebu not part of visit

CEBU, Philippines - The Vatican has released the official itinerary of Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines from January 15 to 19, 2015.

The official itinerary was revealed by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal during a media briefing on Friday.

The Pope’s itinerary is as follows:

January 15

5:45 p.m. – Arrival in Manila

January 16

9:15 a.m. – Welcome ceremony in Malacañang

10:15 a.m. – Meeting with government authorities and diplomatic corps

11:15 a.m. – Holy Mass with bishops, priests, and religious at the Manila Cathedral

5:30 p.m. – Meeting with families at the Mall of Asia Arena

January 17

8:15 a.m. – Departure for Tacloban City

9:30 a.m. – Arrival in Tacloban City

10 a.m. – Concelebrated Mass near the Tacloban International Airport

12:45 p.m. – Lunch with some survivors of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) at the Archbishop’s Residence in Palo, Leyte

3 p.m. – Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor in Palo, Leyte

3:30 p.m. – Meeting with priests, religious, seminarians, and families of Yolanda survivors at the Palo Cathedral

5 p.m. – Departure for Manila

6:15 p.m. – Arrival in Manila

January 18

9:45 a.m. – Meeting with leaders of various religions at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila

10:30 a.m. – Meeting or encounter with the youth in the sports field of UST

3:30 p.m. – Mass at the Rizal Park, Manila

January 19

9:45 a.m. – Ceremony at the presidential pavilion of the Villamor Airbase, Pasay City

10 a.m. – Departure for Rome

5:45 p.m. (Rome time) – Arrival in Rome

Both Cebu archdiocese spokesman and Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño rector said they accept the Vatican’s decision.

Monsignor Joseph Tan, archdiocese head of social communication, did not expect the decision to come out last night.

“I still have to see for myself the document that says Pope Francis is not coming to Cebu. If it’s true that he’s not coming, what we can do is to pray. Humanly speaking, there is a little disappointment. Though we have to think of it holistically,” Tan said.

Basilica rector Fr. Jonas Mejares shared the same sentiment.  “Human as I am, I am disappointed. Being the rector of the cradle of Christianity, I can’t help but be dismayed. But if you look at the bigger picture, there must be a reason why this happened,” he said.

He added he remains optimistic that the pope might reconsider, especially as he is known to be spontaneous.

Tan added that faithful must still be thankful that the pope chose to visit the Philippines.  — Jessa J. Agua/BRP (FREEMAN)