GUIDE: How to get to Pope Francis events

The Philippines has been blessed with a rare chance to see Pope Francis, who will be making his first visit to the country from January 15 to 19.

 

The official itinerary of the Pope's five-day visit has already been released. Some events are open to the public, while others require accreditation.

 

GMA News Online has put together a guide for the faithful who want to see the charismatic pontiff in the flesh.

 

Important reminder: No tickets will be sold for any of these events.

 

Manila Cathedral - January 16, 11:15 a.m.

 

 

Pope Francis is set to celebrate Holy Mass at Manila Cathedral with about 2,000 bishops, priests and religious leaders.

 

According to the Papal Visit Committee website, since the Cathedral can only accommodate a limited number of people, only those with IDs as official delegates of dioceses from all over the country will be allowed to enter the church.

 

"However, as with other major liturgical celebrations held at the Manila Cathedral, whatever goes on inside will be projected on huge screens outside," the organizers added.

 

Tents and seats will be provided in front of the Cathedral, so be sure to go there early to get a comfortable spot with a good view of the wide screens.

 

Mall of Asia Arena - January 16, 5:30 p.m.

 

 

Pope Francis is set to meet with several families at Mall of Asia Arena. However, only the families pre-selected by their respective dioceses will be allowed to participate in the meet-and-greet event.

 

"Your best source of information would be your own parish and the diocesan office...your parish priest would be a proper conduit to the bishop, and should be able to provide specific answers to your questions," the Papal Visit Committee said.

 

Families, who wish to get a glimpse of the Pope, however, will not be discouraged from waiting outside the arena. Who knows, the Pope might stop for a while to bless you and your kid; after all, Pope Francis has been known to defy protocols just to reach out to more people.

 

Tacloban City Airport - January 17, 9:30 a.m.

 

 

The Pope is expected to arrive about 9:30 a.m. at Tacloban Airport, and will be welcomed by Church and government officials in a simple ceremony.

 

He will proceed to the sacristy at the Tacloban Airport grounds especially for the papal Mass.

 

The CBCP said some 160,000 people may be accommodated within the airport grounds, which will be secured by barricades.

 

"Each parish in the archdiocese will send 1,000 representatives, while those who cannot enter the grounds may still witness the Mass through big screens," added the CBCP.

 

Archbishop's Residence, Palo, Leyte - January 17, 12:45 p.m.

 

Pope Francis is scheduled to have lunch with Yolanda survivors at the Archbishop's Residence in Palo, Leyte.

 

Like with the event at MOA Arena, only Yolanda survivors pre-selected by the diocese will be allowed entry into the venue.

 

Palo, Leyte Cathedral - January 17, 3:30 p.m.

 

 

Pope Francis is set to meet with bishops, priests, religious leaders and families of Yolanda survivors at Palo Cathedral, also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord's Transfiguration.

 

Like at Manila Cathedral, only those delegates from dioceses from Visayas will be allowed to enter the venue. Yolanda survivor families will also be selected by the dioceses.

 

However, other Yolanda survivors are encouraged to troop outside the Cathedral since after his meetings, the Pope is also scheduled to bless the mass grave located at the back of the Cathedral.

 

University of Santo Tomas - January 18, 10:30 a.m.

 

 

Pope Francis will hold a "Dialogue with the Youth" at the University of Santo Tomas grandstand. The event is open to the public but the grandstand will be cordoned off to accommodate only about 24,000 youth delegates.

 

The Papal Visit Committee advises the youth to inquire on their respective parishes as some dioceses in the provinces will be organizing youth groups to send to Manila for the event.

 

For more details on the Pope's encounter with the youth, inquire at the UST Office of Public Affairs, tel. (02) 731-3544.

 

Quirino Grandstand, Luneta - January 18, 3:30 p.m.

 

 

While the other events require passes, a Holy Mass to be celebrated by Pope Francis at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park on January 18 would be completely open to the public.

 

Before the Mass starts at 3:30 p.m., the Pope is expected to “go around” the venue to bless the people. Before the Mass, a Sinulog dance number will also be performed by various groups in celebration of the Feast of the Santo Niño, so be sure to get there early!

 

However, organizers reminded those who are planning to attend the event that camping out overnight in Luneta Park will not be allowed. The public will only be allowed entry to the park from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on January 18.

 

Tents and wide screens will be set up around the venues as well as first aid and emergency booths and portable toilets. For any eventualities, be sure to check out the location of these booths, before the crowd sets in. —JST, GMA News