Leyte folk still found comfort in Pope Francis despite shortened visit –Church official

(Updated 8:38 p.m.) TACLOBAN CITY — Pope Francis' visit to Leyte may be shorter than what was originally intended, but his message nevertheless brought comfort to the residents — most if not all of them disaster survivors — who've been eagerly awaiting his arrival for months.

“Maski shortened ang stay niya rito, at least may blessing na dumating,” said Fr. Amadeo Alvero, social communications director of the Palo Archdiocese, in describing Pope Francis' shortened visit to Leyte on Saturday.

Pope Francis, in the Philippines for a five-day state and apostolic visit, arrived in Tacloban Saturday morning a few hours after Signal 2 was raised in Leyte and six other areas due to Tropical Storm Amang.

He was forced to cut short his trip due to the inclement weather, although wind and rain failed to stop thousands of devotees from attending the papal events, among which a Mass at the Tacloban airport.

Instead of 5 p.m. as originally scheduled, Pope Francis left Leyte shortly after 1 p.m.

Interviewed by GMA News Online, Alvero said despite the short visit, the Pope was still able to touch the lives of many people in Tacloban City and Palo town, which were devastated when super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Central Philippines in November 2013.

“Parang nakaka-touch po sa ating puso 'yung mercy niya sa atin, ang mercy ng Panginoon ay napakita niya sa atin," he said. “This will also inspire us to become more merciful.”

Aside from comfort, Alvero is hoping that the brief visit would inspire people to “transform” for the better.

"Ito po ay siguradong mag-inspire po sa'tin," he said. "It could also bring transformation po sa 'ting bayan, sa puso, at sa ating isipan."

"Dito sa mga biktima ng Yolanda, nawalan mg pag-asa, nawalan ng pananampalataya, si Papa magsakripisyo para pumunta rito," he added.

For her part, Mother Mary Agnes Mallones of the Diocese of Dumaguete, in an interview on GMA News, said though she feels sad that the visit was cut short, she still feels lucky to have even a glimpse of Pope Francis.

"Nakakapanghinayang pero masaya rin naman na nasilayan namin kahit sandali lang, no regrets po," she added.

Fr. Bienvenido Aniceto said it was not Pope Francis who decided to leave Leyte earlier than scheduled, but the pilot, citing the weather. —KBK, GMA News