Aquino to meet Pope Francis anew

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III will meet Pope Francis for the second time this year at the Vatican during his three working visits in Europe next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

In a press briefing at Malacañang, DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Cleofe Natividad said Aquino will first attend the 21st Conference of the Parties for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on November 30.

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”His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, will undertake an official working visit to Paris, Rome, and Vatican. This visit will be the President’s first to Italy and the Holy See,” Natividad told the Malacañang Press Corps.

On December 4, Aquino will undertake a reciprocal visit at the Vatican, where he is scheduled to have a private audience with Pope Francis, the religious leader of the predominantly Catholic nation.

”This is an opportunity for the President to thank the Pope as well as also to discuss with His Holiness the construction and rehabilitation efforts in Tacloban of which the Pope has shown much keen interest,” Natividad said.

While at the Vatican, Aquino will witness the unveiling and the blessing of a mosaic sculpture of Our Lady of Peñafrancia as well as have a meeting with Filipino members of the religious and the clergy. — Camille Diola