Pope to arrive 45 minutes earlier in Tacloban

Storm survivors in rain coats braved the storm signal early Saturday to attend the mass of Pope Francis. MARC CAYABYAB

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—Pope Francis, the Vicar of Christ, will arrive 45 minutes earlier for his visit and to celebrate Mass with storm victims here on Saturday.

Palo Archdiocese spokesperson Reverend Father Amadeo Arevalo told reporters that the Supreme Pontiff is expected to arrive in the Daniel Romualdez Airport at 8:45 a.m. He was originally scheduled to arrive 9:45 a.m.

Meanwhile, the Pope is set to hold mass at 9:15 a.m. from the original schedule 10 a.m.

His Holiness pushed through with his visit to storm-ravaged Leyte despite a signal warning raised over here due to Tropical Storm “Amang.”

Pilgrims wearing yellow raincoats have started to arrive in the venue Friday night to hold vigil and mass before the Pope’s arrival.

Due to storm Amang, rain and wind started to fall and batter the storm-ravaged Tacloban city, which recorded the highest fatality count when Yolanda struck.

The Supreme Pontiff is expected to tackle environmental issues in his Homily before storm survivors in Tacloban, flattened by monster storm surges believed to be proof of abnormal weather patterns due to climate change.

Pope Francis on Jan 17 will first visit Tacloban and say Mass at the airport before proceeding to Palo to bless the Pope Francis Center. He will then to go to the Palo Cathedral to light a candle on the mass grave of those who perished when Yolanda struck.

The pilgrims cheered after it was announced that the Pope will arrive earlier. The devotees have spent the night here as early as Friday, mostly to pray for the Pope’s safety.

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