Filipinos celebrate ahead of canonization of two Blessed Popes

Filipinos on Sunday, April 27, joined millions of Catholics around the world to celebrate the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. Children donned papal costumes in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City. Video by INQUIRER.net’s Nestor Corrales and edited by INQUIRER.net’s Hotaru Niitsu

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos on Sunday joined millions of Catholic devotees around the world to witness and celebrate the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and John  XXIII.

Devotees trooped to Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City to witness the historic canonization of the two Blessed Popes.

The celebration kicked off with a grand parade of colorful street dancers and flag bearers of different countries in the world highlighted by the parade of “Little Popes” dressed as John Paul II.

Religious chants echoed around Eastwood City as thousands of youth performed various song and dance numbers inspired by the 1995 World Youth Day in the Philippines.

Relics of Blessed John Paul II are also displayed inside Eastwood City Mall for the public.

The Papal car used during his visit to the country in 1995 is also available for public viewing.

At 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, devotees will witness a live footage of the canonization at the St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

The blessed Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines in January 1995 in light of the World Youth Day celebration and in February 1981 when he beatified the first Filipino saint, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz.

Devotees troop to Blessed John Paul II Parish in Eastwood to celebrate his canonization today. Photo by Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net

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