Beaming Pope Francis serenaded by kids at UST

It was, in a way, coming full circle.

Just as Pope John Paul II was serenaded by millions of young voices during the 1995 World Youth Day celebration at Luneta with “Tell the World of His Love,” Pope Francis was also treated to the same song during his meeting with the youth in the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday morning.

Pope Francis stood and swayed with children who sang the iconic theme song of the 1995 World Youth Day celebration as Darren Espanto, a Filipino-Canadian singer, sang the song live. The pontiff, who just finished delivering his message in Spanish, held hands with children while the thousands in the crowd sang along.

Afterward, attendees chanted, "We love you, Pope Francis!"

During his message, Pope Francis touched on issues close to the youths’ hearts, such as the role of women and girls in society, Christian piety and charity, and the role of technology in their lives.

The pontiff is in the country for a five-day state and apostolic visit. The Pope was originally scheduled to spend most of Saturday afternoon in Leyte, but worsening weather conditions cut short his schedule.

Pope Francis, who arrived in the Philippines on Thursday afternoon, will be celebrating a Mass at the Quirino Grandstand on Sunday afternoon before leaving for the Vatican Monday morning. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News