Pope Francis not afraid of rain – Vatican spokesperson

The impending rain in typhoon Yolanda-stricken Leyte will not stop Pope Francis from visiting the central Philippine province, a television report said Thursday.

In a report on GMA News TV's News to Go, Fr. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, was quoted as saying that “If it is not a hurricane, no need to worry. If it is just rain, the Pope is not afraid of rain.”

 

Reporting from Sri Lanka, GMA News' Kara David said Lombardi issued his remark during a press briefing Wednesday night when he was told that Tropical Storm Amang (Mekkhala) was about to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility and might bring light to moderate rain over Tacloban City.

Amang entered the PAR early morning Thursday.

 

Pope Francis is set to visit Leyte on Saturday. He will hold a Mass in Tacloban City and then have a motorcade going to Palo town where he will meet and have lunch with survivors of Yolanda, the world's strongest typhoon recorded to make a landfall.

 

His visit in the country is expected to bring blessings especially to the poor, survivors of both natural and man-made calamities, and different injustices, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle earlier said.

 

It is also expected to bring hope and encouragement to the Catholic faithful in the country.

 

The Archdiocese of Palo earlier thought of cancelling the motorcade due to the possible rainy weather. 

 

The Pope is set to leave Sri Lanka before Thursday afternoon and arrive in Manila early evening for his five-day visit.

 

He will be welcomed by President Benigno Aquino III accompanied by a young boy and girl who will offer flowers to the Holy Father, David reported.

 

Also expected to be present there are Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

 

Pope Francis is expected to visit Malacañang, Manila Cathedral, University of Santo Tomas, and Luneta while in Manila. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News