What’s in Pope Francis’ bag?

MANILA, Philippines - It doesn’t contain the key to nuclear weapons. So what’s in the bag?

That’s what everybody wants to know, as Pope Francis was seen carrying his own bag as he boarded the plane that took him back to Rome last Monday.

Although Filipinos did not get an answer to the question, an interview in Brazil in August 2013 after the World Youth Day should provide a clue.

“It didn’t have the key of the atomic bomb! Alas! I carried it because I’ve always done so: when I travel, I carry it,” the pope told a reporter in Brazil who asked the same question.

“What is inside? There is my razor, there is the Breviary, there is the agenda, there is a book to read – I took one on Saint Teresina to whom I am devoted. I have always carried the bag when I travel: it’s normal,” Francis said.

“(We) must be normal…  we must get used to being normal, the normality of life,” he said.

Comments on the black bag and its possible contents have found their way to microblogging site Twitter.

Journalist Marites Vitug, said, “Pope Francis carries his own little black traveling bag. Wonder what it contains.”

One Sanchyyy said, “Na-curious ako, ano kaya ang laman ng black bag na bitbit ni Pope Francis pag-akyat ng plane?”

A certain Det Cabangangan said, “Sya ang nagbitbit ng black bag nya. Ayaw pabitbit sa iba. I’m a fan. Such a humble man. Walang arte si Pope Francis.”

“Pope Francis carrying his little black bag hehe so sad to see him leaving,” said Bea Bilar.

“There goes his black bag. Haha why so cuteeeee, pope?” Grace Co said.

Senators give thanks

Meanwhile, senators led by Senate President Franklin Drilon offered a prayer of thanks for Francis’ visit.

“We give thanks to you, our Lord Jesus Christ, for giving the world the gift of a man called Francis. You built your Church upon the Rock of a man called Peter more than 2,000 years ago, and after 265 previous successors, we dare say that Pope Francis fits the shoes of the first Fisherman who spearheaded your Church,” acting Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III Sotto said in the prayer.

Sen. Grace Poe, for her part, called on Filipinos to follow the pope’s call to fight corruption.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito commended members of the police, military and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for providing security to the pope.  – With Christina Mendez