Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines: “Mercy and Compassion”
On 15-19 January 2015, Pope Francis made his first state and pastoral visit to the Philippines making him the third pope to visit the country. His visit with the theme “Mercy and Compassion” took place in various locations in Manila and Leyte in Tacloban and Palo to visit the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
A special non-working holiday was declared during the Pope Francis' visit thus throughout Pope Francis’ visit, thousands of Catholic devotees patiently waited for hours along the route he took. The crowd greeted and cheered the pope as they catch a glimpse of Pope Francis when his motorcade passed by.
The Papal visit was concluded with an outdoor mass held at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal park. Six million people were estimated to have attended the ceremony or lined the Papal route to Rizal Park.
The following images taken in the streets of Manila present how Pope Francis’ visit captured the hearts and minds of Filipinos from all walks of life, regardless of gender and class.
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