Duterte skips Pope’s Day celebration at Nunciature in Manila

President Rodrigo Duterte has skipped Pope's Day celebration in Manila despite the invitation sent by the Vatican's representative to the Philippines, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia.

Duterte sent the four-man committee he formed to dialogue with religious groups as his representatives to the event at the Apostolic Nunciature in Malate.

The celebration is in honor of the apostles Saints Peter and Paul.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, a member of the committee, said Cabinet Secretary Leoncio "Jun" Evasco Jr. could not make it because he was not feeling well.

The other members of the panel are Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella and political strategist Pastor Boy Saycon.

Duterte's Friday schedule on Friday included a visit to the slain and wounded policemen who in a friendly fire incident in Sta. Rita, Samar on Monday. He also attended the Sangyaw Festival of Lights in Tacloban City.

The nunciature's invitation came amid uproar from Christian groups that took offense at Duterte's remarks on June 22 when he called God "stupid" and slammed the concept of original sin in the Bible.

Duterte refused to apologize for his remarks even as he promised to keep his silence for now on issues, especially about his rift with the Catholic Church. —NB, GMA News