Pinoys in Rome Proud, Excited Over Papal Visit

Even Filipinos in Rome are excited and proud over Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the Philippines in January 2015, Church-run Radio Veritas reported.

Pontificio Collegio Filipino rector Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston was quoted as saying the Filipino community in Rome believes the Philippines is lucky to be personally blessed by the Pope.

“Proud at masaya ang mga Pilipino dahil andito kami pero ang Santo Papa pupunta sa Pilipinas, masuwerte kami, kahit thrice a week makikita namin ang Pope dito, pero iba pa rin na madalaw niya ang ating bansa,malaking karangalan yun sa ating mga Pilipino,” he said.

The Pope is to visit the Philippines Jan. 15 to 19, though further details of his visit are to be released later this month.

He is expected to visit areas affected by recent calamities, including the magnitude-7.2 quake in Bohol and super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the Visayas.

Yolanda left more than 6,000 dead in its wake.

Last month, the Palo archdiocese in Leyte said it is screening five such prospective survivors to dine with the pope when he visits the Philippines.

There will be 30 survivors who will meet the Pope in person – five from each calamity-hit diocese.

(Source: RSJ, GMA News)