Organizers of the Pope Francis' visit in January on Thursday called on the country's politicians to refrain from using the event to somehow promote themselves before the Holy Father and the public.

A priest hoped that such personalities would be converted and become true public servants, GMA News' Rida Reyes reported on "24 Oras."

 

"(H)indi priority ang mga pulitiko. Sa awa ng Diyos, sana huwag gamitin, nawa ma-convert ang mga pulitiko na maging tunay na public servant worthy of public trust," papal visit media relations sub-committee chairman Fr. Anton Pascual said in an interview Thursday.

 

Pope Francis is due to visit the Philippines Jan. 15 to 19.

 

He will have lunch with the poor and the survivors of Yolanda (Haiyan) during his stay. 

Pascual said the organizers were satisfied with the government preparations for the visit.

 

Among the preparations are renovations on the Quirino Grandstand where the Pope will say Mass.

 

"The Church is very satisfied so far with the preparations of the government," Pascual said.

 

Pascual said the Vatican wanted the Philippines to keep to a minimum the expenditures for the papal visit. —NB, GMA News