MANILA, Philippines — A downpour early Friday afternoon in Manila failed to discourage thousands of Filipinos from wanting to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis, who did not disappoint them.
One such crowd that lined Quirino Avenue cheered loudly as the Pope’s motorcade passed by coming back from the Manila Cathedral, where the Holy Father said Mass for bishops, priests and the religious.
It did not matter that they were already wet from the rain that began to fall before the pontiff’s convoy arrived on its way to the Apostolic Nunciature on Taft Avenue.
People waiting for Pope Francis’ motorcade along Quirino avenue to pass through didn’t even flinch despite the pouring rain Friday afternoon. Mark Giongco
Despite the rain, Pope Francis had rolled down the window of the van he was in and waved back at the faithful.
Jane Supremo, 40, who waited for hours with her husband, said she didn’t expect the rain but added that it didn’t matter even if the rain fell hard. It wouldn’t stop her from wanting to see the Pope even if for just a second.
“It felt like we were blessed when we saw him,” Supremo said with an ecstatic tone. “It was a feeling like no other.”
The Pope is expected to again leave the nunciature at about 4 p.m. to go to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City for the “Meeting with Families.”
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