Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle yesterday appealed to
the groups seeking an audience or a visit from Pope Francis during his
visit here January 15-19 not to feel bad if that cannot be arranged.
His Eminence issued the appeal during a press briefing, noting the number of requests received from groups and individuals.
“Many are requesting for the pontiff to visit this and that community
or attend this and that…which will entail a lot of travel…let us be
realistic, he is 77-years old,” Tagle said in a press briefing in
Intramuros, Manila yesterday.
Among the groups seeking a visit from the Pope are the street
children from the Tulay ng Kabataan, and the prisoners of the National
Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
The cardinal said it’s possible that the pontiff might just meet
certain groups in one of the places where he is expected to hold an
activity. He cited the case that happened during his recent visit in
South Korea.
“Instead of him visiting a mosque or a Buddhist temple, they gathered
all the leaders of non-Christian religions in the sacristy (of the
cathedral) and he spent 15 minutes with them,” said Tagle.
He said that was an hour before the pontiff presided a Mass at the
cathedral. Before the Mass, the Holy Father also met with comfort women
during the war, he said.
“It was not announced to us that some comfort women were gathered
there…when the Pope reached the area, instead of going to the altar, he
greeted them,” said Tagle.
“I’m citing these examples so that people will understand so that
they won’t feel bad. But rest assured that something is being done
already so that encounters will happen but in a manner that the travel
is reduced,” he added.
His Eminence, however, did not cite the places that the Pope will be
visiting in the country. His exact itinerary is still being finalized by
the Vatican organizers.
In the coming months of November to December, the Vatican people who
are in charge of the international visits of the pope will come again to
see the progress of our preparations and the final program, Tagle said.
“The details might be available at the end of November or early
December because it is still undergoing close scrutiny. They are not
only looking at the security concerns but also the health of the Pope.
As we know he is already 77, turning 78 years old. He is also being
asked what is comfortable for him,” he added.
