The 81-year-old pontiff, who has made three papal visits to the country — the last in January 1995 for the World Youth Day celebrations — has promised to return in January 2003.
Fr. James Reuter of the National Office of Mass Media said the Pope looks upon the Philippines as his "point man" in the religious approach to Asia.
"John Paul’s heart is in the Philippines," Reuter said. "He even follows the events that happen here, religiously."
He said that the pope has in fact sent a message of condolence to the prelate of Marawi following the murder of Irish priest Rufus Halley, a victim of a kidnapping attempt by Muslim bandits. Halley was buried in Cagayan de Oro City yesterday.