People wave Vatican flags at Pope as he leaves Nunciature en route to Villamor

Published January 19, 2015 9:02am

(Updated 9:28 a.m.) The sight of enthusiastic Filipinos waving Vatican flags would be among the last fond memories for Pope Francis of his 2015 Philippine visit as he left the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila Monday morning.

Pope Francis' convoy left the Nunciature at 9:04 a.m. aboard a white Isuzu pickup-based Popemobile.

Nakaalis na si Pope sa Apostolic Nunciature patungong Villamor Air Base. #BlessedByThePope http://t.co/q0tmsGFddM pic.twitter.com/gljGqW6uwS

— GMA News (@gmanews) January 19, 2015

Chants of "Pope Francis, we love you!" from the crowd greeted him as he started his journey to Villamor Air Base.

Some in the crowd released white balloons as the convoy passed by them.

The Pope continued to smile at and wave to the shouting crowd.

Malapit na sa Villamor Air Base ang convoy ni Pope Francis. #BlessedByThePope http://t.co/q0tmsGFddM pic.twitter.com/xNpijZA7al

— GMA News (@gmanews) January 19, 2015

Many in the crowd brought their children to get a last glimpse of the Pope.

Aside from small Philippine and Vatican flags, many in the crowd along the route raised camera phones and tablets to capture the moment of the pope passing by.

Some even raised misalettes from Sunday's Mass at the Quirino Grandstand, radio dzBB reported.

Others had messages that read, "Lolo Kiko thank you for coming to our country, Goodbye."

The convoy arrived at Villamor Air Base at 9:29 a.m.

The Pope is to take a chartered Philippine Airlines flight, informally dubbed Shepherd One, to Rome. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News

Tags: popefrancis, popefrancisphlvisit