Vatican team to visit Cebu for congress inspection

MANILA, Philippines - The probability that Pope Francis would visit the country in 2016 has just gotten stronger.

There are now two indications why expectations are running high that Pope Francis would be present at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) to be held in Cebu in 2016.

The Vatican earlier had asked to move the event to an earlier date, from May to January 2016, since the pontiff has an appointment in May that year.

Now, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recently received word that 15 officials from the Vatican would go to Cebu to conduct an ocular inspection. 

CBCP president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said he is hoping that Pope Francis would be able to visit the Philippines during the IEC scheduled on Jan. 25-31, 2016.

Archbishop Piero Marini, president of the Pontifical Committee on the IEC, would lead the ocular inspection team to Cebu City on Sept. 5.

The IEC is held every four years.

Marini reportedly wanted to do the inspection this early to check the preparations for the international event.

“They will stay in Cebu until Sept. 10. Aside from the ocular inspection, they will give suggestions and we would expect a more meaningful and fruitful celebration,” Palma said.

From Cebu, the Vatican delegation would proceed to Manila for another meeting with Filipino theologians involved in the IEC preparations.