Duterte asks everyone to pray for Pope's safety during his visit

DAVAO CITY, Jan 15 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the visit of Pope Francis, also known Pope Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio to the Philippines.

He said he is happy that even the Muslim leaders in Mindanao welcome the Pope not in the matter of religion but in the matter of goodwill in the international community.

Duterte urged the residents to pray for the Pope’s safety in the country while there is a limitation in the way of accessing to him directly.

“Pray for the pope’s safety,” he said.

The Vatican released two days ago the official itinerary of Pope Francis:

January 15, 2015
5:45 pm – Arrival in Manila, followed by a motorcade to the Apostolic Nunciature along  Taft Avenue in Metro Manila

January 16, 2015
9:15 am – Welcome ceremony in Malacanang with a courtesy visit to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III

10:15 am – Meeting with civil authorities, and the diplomatic corps, a speech by Pope Francis and a motorcade to the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros

11:15 am- Holy Mass with the bishops, priests at the Manila Cathedral, followed by a motorcade to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City

5:30 pm- Meeting with families at the Mall of Asia Arena

January 17, 2015
8:15 am –Departure for Tacloban City via the Villamor Air Base
9:30 am- Arrival in Tacloban City
10:00 am- Concelebrated Mass at the Tacloban City Airport
12:45 pm – Lunch with several Yolanda survivors at the Archbishop residence in Palo, Leyte.
3:00 pm- Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor in Palo, Leyte
3:30 pm – Meeting with priests, seminarians and families of Yolanda survivors at the Palo Cathedral
5:00 pm – Departure for Manila
6:15 pm – Arrival in Manila at the Villamor Air Base

January 18, 2015
9:45 am – Meeting with leaders of various religisons at the UST in Manila
10:30  am – Meeting with the youth in the sports field of the UST and a speech by  Pope Francis followed by a motorcade to the Rizal Park
3:30 pm – Concluding Mass at the Rizal Park, Manila

January 19, 2015
9:45 am – Departure ceremony at the Presidential Pavilion of the Villamor Air Base
10:00 am – Departure for Rome  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)