The public will have a chance to take a photo or selfie with Pope Francis even before he arrives in the Philippines in January 2015.

Church-run Radyo Veritas is coming up with 100 standees of the Holy Father to be placed in churches, schools, and malls.

 

Fr. Anton Pascual, Radyo Veritas president, said the purpose of the cardboard standees was to generate awareness for the pontiff's four-day Apostolic Visit in the country from January 15 to 19, 2014.

 

He said that Radyo Veritas initially placed a standee of Pope Francis at the Radyo Veritas station in Quezon City.

 

Radyo Veritas is also planning to place standees in SM Megamall, Archdiocese of Manila office in Intramuros, Residencia in Mandaluyong City, Caritas Manila office in Manila, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Makati City, Layforce Center, Christ the King Parish in Quezon City, Batasan Hills in Quezon City, dioceses of Antipolo and Pasig, Assumption, Antipolo City; Santuario de San Antonio, Makati; Sto. Niño parish in Tondo, Manila; Greenbelt chapel, Makati; Immaculate Heart of Mary Diliman.

 

"Yes this is an opportunity to take a picture with the Pope and many people are taking their selfies," he said in an interview.

 

Pascual added that there was an ongoing Mary and Popes exhibition by Radyo Veritas at SM Mall of Asia which started last August 30 and will run until September 28.

 

"This exhibit is part of papal awareness. More than 100 statues of popes and Marian images are on display. There are also relics of Saint John Paul II," he added.

Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz is supporting the putting up of standees of Pope Francis.

 

"The purpose is not bad, who doesn't want his picture taken with the pope?although its only a cardboard. What can you do he is likable and a famous personality. We Filipinos are very fond of that even actress and actors," he said in a separate interview.

 

"It's good people will become more aware that the Pope is coming. That this is on and therefore generates more expectation and consequently his coming will be a big occasion really for the country," Cruz said. —NB, GMA News