Yolanda survivors wish more time to be with Pope Francis

CEBU, Philippines - People who survived the devastation of typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas now wish they will have more time with Pope Francis when he visits Leyte early next year, according to a CBCP News report.

When reports came out that the pope will only spend at least six hours in Leyte and the rest will be in Manila, many people felt unhappy about the “small” amount of time given to them.

Pope Francis will be in the Philippines from January 15 to 19. Details of his visit, however, have not yet been officially revealed.

But Palo Archbishop John Du already told the media that the pope will visit Tacloban City and the adjacent town of Palo in Leyte on January 17. He said the pope will also share a meal with the poor victims of last year’s calamities.

Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Diocese of Tagbilaran also said five survivors of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol in October 2013 will be among the individuals who will meet and eat with the pope in Leyte.

Father Edu Gariguez of the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action said many people are wishing that Pope Francis will spend more time with them. “I wish the pope will listen to their yearning,” he said.

Gariguez said that, aside from the Leyteños, many typhoon victims in Samar and Palawan are also praying that the pope will visit them.

“The victims of Samar and Palawan said they also want to see the pope. I just want to make their wishes known,” he said. “I am also wondering why this is so because the original intention of the pope was to visit the victims. But why is he there only for a day?” he added.

Organizers said they are preparing the faithful to embrace the idea of “mercy and compassion” which is the theme of the papal visit.

“The message says that the primary intention of Pope Francis is to see the poor victims, but they are not in Manila—they are in Leyte and Samar,” Gariguez said. “I am not saying that he should not go to Manila. All I am saying is that the longing of the survivors is that they should have more time with the pope.”

If there are concerns about pope’s accommo-dation in typhoon-ravaged areas, the priest believes that is not a major problem. “He can stay wherever. The pope is ready to stay and live with the poor. He does not require a five-star hotel,” added Gariguez. —From the wires