‘Do you love me?’ Pope Francis takes on a lighter note during his first Mass in PHL 

Pope Francis on Friday let his lighter side shine as he began his homily by asking those present at the Manila Cathedral: “Do you love me?

Someone from the crowd answered, “Yes!” and made the pontiff laugh. He made his meaning clearer, “I was referring to the words of Jesus.”

Homiliya na ni Pope Francis: "Do you love me? Thank you very much! I was referring to the words of Jesus!" pic.twitter.com/OMKsN8r9FI

— GMA News (@gmanews) January 16, 2015

 

The homily continued with the Pope touching on the importance of being one with the poor and needy. According to his Holiness, "If we take the poor away from the gospel, we can't understand the message of Christ."

 

He condemned materialism and invited everyone to share their love to the sick and the elderly, just as well as we should do with the children and the poor.

 

“To be an ambassador for Christ means to invite everyone to a personal encounter with Jesus,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Pope Francis paid a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang. In his speech after his courtesy call, the Pope challenged politicians to shun corruption and prioritize the poor. 

 

Later in the afternoon, Pope Francis will meet with families at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

 

He will then be headed to Tacloban on January 17, Saturday, to meet the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda and celebrate his second Mass in the Philippines at the Palo Cathedral. 
 

On Sunday, January 18, the Pope will meet religious leaders and young people at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. In the afternoon, he will go on a motorcade for the Concluding Mass at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

 

Pope Francis will leave for Rome on January 19, Monday.  — RSJ, GMA News