Pope Francis arrives at Manila Cathedral for first Mass in PHL

By XIANNE ARCANGEL, GMA News January 16, 2015 10:57am

(Updated 11:43 a.m.) Pope Francis has arrived at the Manila Cathedral to celebrate his first Mass in the Philippines.

The pontiff arrived at 10:57 a.m. after paying a courtesy visit to President Benigno Aquino III at Malacañang Friday morning.

Young boys dressed like the Vatican’s Swiss Guards welcomed the Pope upon his arrival at the cathedral.

Due to the limited space of the venue, only 2,000 bishops, priests and religious persons were allowed to enter the cathedral for the mass. Tents and widescreens, however, have been set up outside the cathedral for the public.

Police began allowing accredited members of the clergy and religious people inside the cathedral at 6 a.m.

The anticipation began building up at around 10:30 a.m. when the cathedral bells started tolling. The crowd erupted in cheers upon seeing Pope Francis aboard the Popemobile shortly after.

Erwin Taala, who biked all the way from Bulacan to Manila Cathedral, was unable to stop his tears from falling upon seeing the pontiff up close.

"My long trip was worth it," he said.

Virginia Caparros, 58, who had been standing outside the cathedral since 6:30 a.m., also shed tears as the pontiff passed.

"Masaya ako dahil nabasbasan na ako ng presensiya ni Pope Francis," she said.

A 150-person choir composed of singers from the National Capital Region and Tuguegarao City will be singing at the Mass, which will be held in Latin.

Later in the day, the Pope will proceed to the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City to meet with Filipino families pre-selected by their respective dioceses. —KG, GMA News

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