‘Welcome pope with open arms’

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Not a raucous welcome, but one done “with all our hearts, with all our minds and with wide open arms” should greet Pope Francis when he arrives today to begin his much-awaited five-day visit, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said yesterday.

With the public now generally aware of the pope’s itinerary, the faithful should “line the streets he will take, watch the papal vehicle pass by and be blessed by the sight of the pope passing our way going around the city,” Villegas said.

“Bring out your family images of the saints and the Blessed Virgin. Bring out your Santo Niños and crucifixes. Bring out your heart in welcome!” he said.

“Every step he makes, every car ride he takes, every moment he stays with us is precious for us. Seeing him pass by is a grace. Waving our hands at him in loving welcome is an experience of a lifetime,” Villegas said.

“Watch the pope passing by, Christ is passing by. Be blessed as he passes by,” he said.

The pope, Villegas said, should feel the warm welcome of the ordinary faithful as soon as he leaves Villamor Airbase for the Apostolic Nunciature on Taft Avenue late afternoon or early this evening. His motorcade is expected to take Newport Garden to Andrews Avenue, then Airport Road-Domestic Road-Roxas Boulevard-Quirino Avenue-Leveriza intersection to Taft Avenue.

In the morning of the following day, the pope will meet President Aquino at Malacañang. Francis is expected to be driven to the Palace in a closed car. But he is expected to move around in an open jeepney popemobile in his later trips.

From the Apostolic Nunciature on Taft Avenue, his motorcade will take Quirino Avenue to Nagtahan Bridge (Mabini Bridge) then turn left to JP Laurel to the presidential palace.

After his meeting with the President and with other officials, Pope Francis will proceed to the Manila Cathedral for an 11:15 a.m. mass.

To reach the cathedral in Intramuros, his entourage will take General Solano, P. Casal-Ayala Bridge to Finance Road, Burgos Drive and Bonifacio Drive toward Anda Circle, and right to Aduana Street.

In the afternoon, the papal convoy will again pass Taft Avenue to Leveriza intersection-Quirino Avenue to Roxas Boulevard to the Mall of Asia for his meeting with families. The pope will be in Leyte on Jan. 17.

He is scheduled to meet Sunday morning with leaders of other religions as well as with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas.

To reach UST from the Apostolic Nunciature, his convoy will take Quirino Avenue toward Nagtahan, A. Lacson Avenue and España where the university’s main gate is located. He will take the same route on the way back to the Apostolic Nunciature.

In the afternoon, Francis will celebrate mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park. On his way to Rizal Park, his convoy will take Quirino Avenue, turn right to Roxas Boulevard and enter Rizal Park through TM Kalaw.

On the day of his return to Rome, Francis will be driven to Villamor Airbase via Leveriza-Quirino Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Domestic Road and Andrews Avenue.

100-percent ready

Villegas said that while they are ready for the pope’s visit, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church might spring some “surprises” that may require some security adjustments.

“There is no such thing as 100 percent prepared because Pope Francis is a ‘Pope of Surprises’ so you have to prepare for his surprises,” he said.

“But humanly speaking everything that we must do we have actually done. We are praying and we are asking the people to pray that in the end this is not just a state visit,” he added.

“This is not just a visit of the pope. This is a spiritual renewal for the Filipino people and the goal is revival of the faith that is the most important factor,” he pointed out.

Pope Francis would be bringing with him a 32-man delegation.

Once they disembark from the papal plane, five more would be added to the papal party – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto and his two secretaries, and Villegas himself.

To welcome Pope Francis on his arrival, aside from President Aquino, are senior prelates led by CBCP vice president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles.

Villegas said Pope Pius Center on United Nations Avenue can only accommodate 100 people. Some of the bishops would have to be taken in by convents. There are about 120 active Filipino bishops.

Some Asian bishops are traveling to the Philippines to join in the mass for the bishops and the religious at the Manila Cathedral.

Among those expected to show up is the new cardinal from Myanmar. Also expected are cardinals from South Korea and Kazakhstan. They would be billeted at the Diamond Hotel along with members of the Vatican media.

Villegas emphasized that the Asian bishops would pay for their hotel accommodations and that the CBCP would only take care of their food.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay called on Filipinos to follow the example of Francis in spreading Christ’s message of love and charity.

In his message on the arrival of the Roman Pontiff, the Vice President said he hopes the nation will heed the pope’s call “for renewing our commitment to the universal values of love and compassion for the poor and downtrodden.”

“To all Filipinos, it is my hope that we will be inspired by the living example of the pope, who has willingly connected with the people to get across Christ’s message of love and charity,” Binay said.

He also voiced his wish that his fellow workers in government may be inspired to provide selfless service to the people, no matter their own circumstances, without thought of reward.

“We must devote our time, talents, energy and resources on truly serving the people, particularly those who most need our help,” Binay said.

Even suspected pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles has expressed excitement over the papal visit.

“It will really be a blessed day (on Thursday) since the pope will be arriving exactly on my birthday,” she said in an interview after her appearance at the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division yesterday afternoon.

Napoles, who was in yellow shirt printed with the image of Pope Francis, said she is also praying for the pope’s safety during his visit.

Asked what she would want to wish from the pope if given the chance, Napoles only said, “secret.” She said she had long surrendered herself “and whatever will be the outcome of the hearings in this case” to God.

She added she would definitely watch the coverage of the papal visit on TV if possible.

As for her birthday wish, Napoles said she wants a healthier and longer life. Helen Flores, Rhodina Villanueva