Chasing Pope Francis

During the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines January 15-19, many people wanted to see the Pope. While everyone contented themselves in seeing the pope on television, there were some who went out of their comfort to see the pope in flesh.

Fr. Jesus Samaniego, parish priest of St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary Parish in Cabantian, Davao City said he was chasing Pope Francis from the time that he went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was expecting to see the pope that time when he was to celebrate Mass in Bethlehem but was not able to do so since they were not allowed due to limitation in the number of attendees allowed.

He said he is blessed enough to see the pope and the chase is over when he came to the Philippines last month and he concelebrated the mass in Quirino Grandstand.

Young people from the Archdiocese of Davao have to brave the heavy rains and sleeplessness during the encounter with the young people in the University of Santo Tomas. Some were seen sleeping on the grounds wearing their rain coats while waiting for the pope to arrive.

“We may not be able to see the pope closer but we are blessed enough to be in the same space with the pope, breathing the same air with him,” said a woman who waited for hours just to see the pope to pass by them in seconds.

“Never mind the rains and the waiting for how many hours as long as I have seen the Pope. The images I’ve seen of him will forever linger in my mind,” said another who also went to see the pope in Manila.

Many were not able to take a photo of the pope while some contented themselves to having a selfie with the pope’s standee or with the pope on TV.

A trisiboat driver said that he is happy to see the pope on television. He said his visit is enough to prove that God is present in their midst. (@johnfrancesf)