78,000 free tickets for papal Mass to be given by Archdiocese of Palo

Residents try to hitch hike along a road with destroyed coconut trees in Palo town, Leyte province, central Philippines, on November 13, 2013, days after super Typhoon Haiyan devastated the city. AFP

MANILA, Philippines—The Archdiocese of Palo will give free tickets to more than 78,000 people for the papal Mass to be officiated by Pope Francis when he visits Tacloban City in January next year.

Rev. Fr. Cris Militante, media coordinator for the papal visit of the Archdiocese of Palo, said that 1,000 tickets for each of the 78 parishes and mission stations in the archdiocese have been reserved for the papal Mass at the Tacloban Airport.

“Dadalhin po ito ng mga representatives ng mga parokya kasi as of now nakikita namin na we were requiring at least 1000 representatives from every parish dito sa Archdiocese of Palo. We have more than 78 parishes and mission stations na pupuno doon sa area pero hindi naman ibig sabihin nun na kung sino lang yun mapipili eh sila lang ang maiimbitahan sa Misa, sila lang po ay may space sa loob ng apron na iququadrants namin.” Militante said in an interview with Radio Veritas.

Militante said that the tickets are not considered as VIP passes and will only serve as a measure to control the number of attendees in the Mass.

The media coordinator also said that even those who will not be able get a ticket could still attend the Mass.

Pope Francis will arrive in the country for a five day papal visit from January 15 to 19. The pope will visit Tacloban City on January 17.

RELATED STORIES
Pope in PH: The INQUIRER Report

Pope’s itinerary: ‘Our official joy begins now’