Papal Visit 2015: Twenty Years After

The Pope's first motorcade from Villamor Airbase

Pope Francis' Papal and State Visit here in the country just ended last Monday, January 19. For our Cebu Delegation from Banilad, saying that the Pope's visit was so moving is an understatement. We all bring with us memories of the Holy Father's tenderness as a Pastor, as a Shepherd, as the image of Christ walking alongside us, suffering with us. 

I went to Manila last Friday morning and went back here to Cebu on Sunday evening. My Bacolod-bred friends, Meawyn and Camille, came to join our group to attend and witness the Papal events with us. Of course, we were all very happy to be reunited since Meawyn, a CPA, has been staying in Manila since December 2012, working in a big company there, while Camille, an Economics graduate from La Salle-Bacolod, is now working in a well-known bank in Bacolod. Both of them are among the very young cooperators we have in the respective centers of Opus Dei where they receive formation. Camille also invited a friend, Leslie, also from La Salle-Bacolod and who presently works in Manila as well.

In Tahilan with the Pope: The Cebu Delegates from Banilad 

Meawyn and I were very fortunate to see Pope Francis not just once but twice! We were on our way to the Mall of Asia Arena (MOA), walking all the way from Tahilan Residence and Study Center where we agreed to meet, when hundreds of policemen deployed along Roxas Boulevard stopped us from entering MOA as early as 2:00 pm! When we said that we are actually part of the human barricade for the Pope in front of MOA, we were sternly told that they are very sorry but they couldn't allow us to enter anymore. Camille just arrived that afternoon and we didn't get to meet her until the following day. Leslie, Camille's friend, also had to follow the following evening, just so she can join the group to go to UST. The Meeting with Families was set at 5:30 pm that day, January 16, Friday. And so we just decided to wait by the flyover of Roxas Boulevard, and waited for 3 hours together with hundreds of people who lined up the boulevard. 

Waiting for the Pope with Meawyn along Roxas Blvd.

Finally, at a little past 5:00 pm, the helicopters started hovering above the place where we were. And at around 5:10 pm, the Pope's convoy arrived, followed by the Pope himself in a Popemobile! The Pope was a good 8-10 meters from us, and we were happy to have seen him, waving at the crowd! After that quick moment with the Pope, we headed to MOA again, walking till we reached the area where there was a big screen. We couldn't get any nearer as the people were really so many! We ended up sitting on the sidewalk for almost an hour. And since there was no chance to see the Pope at MOA anymore, Meawyn and I headed back to Tahilan, and again, walking! We couldn't believe that we managed to walk all the way from Leon Guinto to MOA and back! I was so exhausted that all I wanted to do was to locate the house where we will be staying for the night once we get back to Tahilan, and rest my legs and feet!. But then again, upon reaching Roxas Boulevard, we saw so many policemen lining up the streets, forming another human barricade. This time, they were waiting for the Pope to go home to his house whenever he's here, the Apostolic Nunciature. The Meeting of the Pope with Families at MOA just ended. And so, we situated ourselves right in front of the policemen, and when the convoy came again followed by the Popemobile, we were so glad to see the Pope much closer as we were standing just 3-5 meters away from him! With that, we said that we are already very satisfied being close to the Pope that way. 

With Meawyn, Camille and Hya in Tahilan ... with Pope Francis!

I didn't get to attend the Youth Gathering at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) anymore  as  I was indisposed the following day maybe due to something we ate the night before, so I decided to just stay home in our lodging and listened to the radio. Hearing the Pope's words, I really felt so moved that I wept for a time in his speech to the youth gathered in UST. The Holy Father's refined and affectionate sensitivity to the suffering of others got into me. I hope many of us will really take to heart whatever the Holy Spirit inspired us to hear from the message of Pope Francis. One outstanding message was for us to learn how to weep for the miseries of others. We must all learn to weep because then, we will know how it is to suffer with those who are truly in pain --- physically, morally, and spiritually.  

Nothing but gratitude fills me now as I write this post. We are hoping that the Pope comes back next year to attend the International Eucharistic Congress to be held here in Cebu, right after the Sinulog Festivities. Now that's really something worth looking forward to.