No work in NCR on Jan. 15, 16 and 19 due to Papal visit –Palace

(Updated 1:44 p.m.) Malacañang has declared Jan 15, 16 and 19, 2015 as special non-working days in Metro Manila due to Pope Francis' visit.

The declaration of the holidays was made through Proclamation No. 936, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on Monday.

Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the head of state of Vatican City, is scheduled to visit the Philippines from January 15 to 19 next year.

Presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda earlier said that the national government expects “thousands upon thousands” of Filipinos to attend the Pope’s activities in the Philippines.

Pope's itinerary

The Pope is scheduled to arrive in Manila on January 15. He is set to go to the Malacañang Palace, hold Mass at the Manila Cathedral and meet families at the SM Mall of Asia Arena the following day.

On January 16, Pope Francis is expected to meet typhoon victims in Leyte.

The next day, the Pope will meet religious leaders at the University of Sto. Tomas and will hold another Holy Mass at the Rizal Park. He will leave the Philippines on January 19.

Last July, President Benigno Aquino III ordered the entire government to ensure the success of the Papal visit. He also formed a national panel to lead preparations for Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines.

The Philippines is the largest Roman Catholic nation in Asia. More than 80 percent of the over 100 million Filipinos are Roman Catholics. —Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News