Scottish Catholic Observer

Thousands of Catholics gathered in Manila today as the Holy Father arrived today in the Philippines at the start of his five-day visit.

Pope Francis flew from Sri Lanka to Villamor Air Base this morning. Arriving to unofficial welcoming cheers from the assembled crowd, the Pope exited his plane into wintry conditions, laughing and waving as the wind blew off his zucchetto.

The Holy Father was received by the apostolic nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto and President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines.

Approximately one hundred children sang Welcome Pope Francis while a group of smaller children dressed in white and yellow performed a dance.

Mark Angelo Bartolas, 10, and Lanie Ortillo, 9—from Tuloy sa Don Bosco, which houses abandoned children—presented Pope Francis with flowers.

Leaving the airbase in the Popemobile, the Holy Father travelled through crowds to the apostolic nunciature where he dined in private and rested.

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said during a press conference that the trip was important.

“This journey to the Philippines was necessary,” he said. “[This is] a very important nation that is the centre of Catholic Church in this continent.”

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