Ringing church bells, little Swiss Guards welcome Pope at Manila Cathedral

Ringing church bells and children dressed as Swiss guards – and loudly cheering crowds – greeted Pope Francis as his convoy arrived at the Manila Cathedral before noon Friday.

The Pope, riding his Popemobile, arrived at the Cathedral at about 11 a.m., radio dzBB's Divine Reyes and Cecilia Villarosa reported.

He faced Filipinos who were waiting for him at Plaza Roma across the cathedral. Some of those waiting for him had been there since Thursday.

Pope Francis, humarap sa mga naghintay sa kanya sa Plaza Roma, tapat ng Manila Cathedral bago pumasok sa simbahan. | via @CecilVillarosa

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 16, 2015

Ranking Philippine Church officials including Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle met him outside the Cathedral.

The Pope had come from Malacañang, where he paid a courtesy call on government officials led by President Benigno Aquino III.

The Mass is the second of the Pope's official events during his five-day visit. On Friday afternoon, he will meet with families at the Mall of Asia arena in Pasay City.

On Saturday, the Pope is to head for Leyte for a Mass in Tacloban City and a lunch with survivors of recent calamities in Palo town. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News