Yolanda, Bohol quake survivors to share lunch with Pope Francis

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 30 people, including five survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda, will have lunch with Pope Francis during his visit to Leyte January next year, a Church official said on Wednesday.

Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez said they are now waiting list of the 30 persons, including the  five will be coming from his Diocese, who will be having lunch with the Pope during his visit in the Archdiocese of Palo, Leyte.

The bishop said among those who will be sharing lunch with the Pope are victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that leveled several century-old churches in Bohol.

"May lima from our Diocese, yung victims ng Yolanda. Thirty lahat, dinivide ang 30 sa Metropolitan, so tag-limang representative kada Diocese. Mayroon din na victims from Bohol yung sa biktima ng earthquake," the prelate told Church-run Radyo Veritas.

Bishop Varquez said that though Guian town in Eastern Samar is not in the itinerary of the Pope, church officials have coordinated with the Archdiocese of Palo in connection with the welcome activities during his Holiness' visit.

The bishop said they will release in December the schedule of activities for the Pope's visit.