(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday called on Filipinos to be “outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia” during a mass attended by millions in Manila’s Rizal Park. In his homily, Pope Francis described the Philippines as “the foremost Catholic country in Asia,” saying “this is itself a special gift of God, a blessing,” and…
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(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila, thanked Pope Francis for his visit to the Philippines on Sunday. At the conclusion of Mass celebrated by Pope Francis for millions gathered in Manila’s Rizal Park, Cardinal Tagle said his fellow Filipinos would be praying for the Pope and would follow him “to the…
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(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila, thanked Pope Francis for his visit to the Philippines on Sunday. At the conclusion of Mass celebrated by Pope Francis for millions gathered in Manila’s Rizal Park, Cardinal Tagle said his fellow Filipinos would be praying for the Pope and would follow him “to the peripheries” as missionaries of Christ’s light. Pope Francis is due to leave the Philippines on Monday.
Listen to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s words of thanksgiving at the conclusion of Mass at Rizal Park in Manila:
Below, please find the prepared text for Cardinal Tagle’s remarks:
Most Holy Father,
In the name of the Archdiocese of Manila, the people who worked tirelessly for your pastoral visit, and the Filipinos whom you have been strengthened in faith these past days, I once again say Thank You. I say “Maraming Salamat po” (Thank you very much) on behalf of the street children, the orphans, the widows, the homeless, the informal settlers, the laborers, the farmers, the fisher folk, the sick, the abandoned elderly, the families of missing persons, the victims of discrimination, violence, abuse, exploitation, human trafficking, the Filipino migrant workers and their families, the survivors of natural calamities and armed conflicts, the non-Christian Catholics, the followers of non-Christian religions, the promoters of peace especially in Mindanao and creation that groans. We say again, “Maraming salamat po, Santo Padre.”
You often end your encounters with people by saying, “I ask you to pray for me.” We promise to pray for you. But we want to assure you that Jesus prays for you. Jesus himself declared to Peter, “I have prayed for you that you own faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:32). Your Holiness, you are blessed. Jesus prays for you. We your beloved Filipinos unite ourselves with Jesus in praying for you to God the Father.
You arrived in the Philippines three days ago. Tomorrow you will go. Every Filipino wants to go with you – not to Rome – but to the peripheries, to the shanties, to prison cells, to hospitals, to the world of politics, finance, arts, sciences, culture, education, and social communications. We will go to these worlds to bring the light of Jesus, Jesus who is the center of your pastoral visit and the cornerstone of the Church. We will go where the Light of Jesus is needed. Here in Luneta, the Qurino Grandstand, where heroes are revered, newly elected presidents take office and popes meet the Filipino faithful, here in a place of new beginnings, send us forth as missionaries of the light. Before you go, Holy Father, send us to spread the light of Jesus. Wherever the light of Jesus shines, you and the Filipino people will always be united. Mabuhay, Santo Padre! Mabuhay si Kristo! Let the light of Christ shine!
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with young people on the campus of Santo Tomàs University in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday morning, hearing their stories and leading them in prayer. Departing from his prepared text, the Holy Father addressed the young people in Spanish, with his translator from the Secretariat of State, Msgr. Mark Miles, providing…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday met with the father of Kristel Padasas, the 27-year old volunteer who died at Saturday’s Mass in Tacloban.
Padasas was mortally injured when scaffolding by the stage where the Mass took place collapsed during the wind caused by Tropical Storm Anang, which was approaching the area.
The meeting took place in the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila, and lasted over 20 minutes, with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle acting as an interpreter.
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, said during the meeting, two childhood photos of Kristen were on the table. He also said the father was shocked by his daughter’s death, but consoled by the fact that she had been able to help prepare for the arrival of the Pope.
Kristel’s mother was in Hong Kong at the time of the accident, and is due back in the Philippines on Monday.
During his meeting with young people on Sunday morning, Pope Francis led a prayer for Kristel and her parents.
Kristel worked for the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency, Catholic Relief Services, on a recovery project for Typhoon Yolanda [Haiyan].
“Her dedication to the people affected by the typhoon extended beyond her official work with CRS,” the organization said in a statement. “ She traveled a great distance to volunteer at today’s papal mass and to remember the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.”
The statement also said CRS Philippines mourns her loss along with her family, friends and loved ones.
“[Kristel] colleagues remember her as someone who loved to laugh and who was always ready to assist outside her normal duties,” it continues. “She found great joy in being able to contribute to the recovery effort by working directly with communities and families. Our deepest prayers are with Kristel’s family and loved ones.”
(from Vatican Radio)…