PNoy’s gifts to Pope: Virgin Mary statue, commemorative coins

A wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and commemorative coins will be President Benigno Aquino III's gifts to Pope Francis.

 

The statue was made from the old tree uprooted from the Malacañang Palace grounds due to Typhoon Glenda.

^{Ryan Lim}

The coins bearing the Pope's face, earlier made by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, will have P50 and P500 denominations.

Pope Francis arrived late Thursday afternoon and is scheduled to make a courtesy call on Aquino Friday morning. In Malacañang, the Pope will meet with officials and the diplomatic corps, before heading to the Manila Cathedral to lead a Mass to be attended by bishops, priests, religious men and women.

^{Danny Pata}

– Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News