Thousands of Filipino devotees welcomed the Worldwide Catholic Church leader Pope Francis as he arrived yesterday, January 15 at the Villamor Airbase, commencing the Philippine leg of his state and papal visit with the theme ‘Mercy and Compassion’.

After the palace reception, the Roman Pontiff proceeded with the motorcade, greeting and waving to waiting and enthusiastic Filipinos. The popemobile started its route from Villamor airbase in Pasay and ended in the Papal Nunciature in Manila, where the 78-year old pope will be staying.

According to the pacifictimes.org, “Pope Francis will visit the Philippines primarily to comfort Filipinos devastated by the typhoon and the earthquake that hit the Visayas,” but unlike the pastoral visit of former Pope Saint John Paul II, Pope Francis is also in the Philippines for a state visit with him being the absolute sovereign of the Vatican City State.

As per Manila Mayor Erap Estrada, classes in the College as well as other institutions were suspended until January 19 because “millions of people from all over the world are expected to come to Manila during the Papal Visit.”

However, Angelo King International Center (AKIC) campus has suspended its classes since January 12 in preparation for the Pope’s delegates’ stay in the College’s Hotel Benilde.

Pope Francis was given a welcome ceremony in the Malacañang Palace today, January 16, followed by another motorcade to the Manila Cathedral where he conducted a holy mass. He will then proceed to a meeting with families in the Mall of Asia arena.