Philippine News
Aquino family attends Pope Francis’ holy mass in Luneta
MANILA — President Bengino S. Aquino III and his sisters attended Pope Francis’ grand mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday, January 18.
The President, who arrived at the venue past 2 p.m., was joined by his sisters Pinky Aquino Abellada and Kris Aquino, who came with her sons, Bimby and Josh.
Sunday’s mass, which was officiated by Pope Francis, was the last activity during the five-day visit of the pontiff to the Philippines.
The mass, held despite rain showers due to a storm in the Visayas, celebrated the Feast of the Sto. Niño.
Prior to the event, Pope Francis met with youths at the University of Sto. Tomas.
The pope, received with tremendous enthusiasm by Filipinos, left for the Vatican on Monday morning.
His visit to the Philippines and Sri Lanka aimed to strengthen the influence of Catholicism in the Asian region.
The pontiff’s visit to the Philippines also aimed to meet victims of last year’s Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban and Palo, Leyte. He did meet them last Saturday, although he had to cut the visit short due to bad weather.