Tens of thousands outside UST before Pope meet

Screengrab from RTVM

MANILA, Philippines —Tens of thousands of people have lined up outside the University of Santo Tomas (UST) hours before a scheduled meeting of Pope Francis with 24,000 youth representatives on Sunday.

As early as 10 p.m. Saturday, hundreds of people have started lining up at UST gates along Dapitan street, entry point designated for the general public.

Crowd started to swell at about 3 a.m. at all gates along España Boulevard and the streets of P. Noval, Dapitan, and Lacson. The UST Office of Public Affairs earlier announced that the gates would be opened at 4 a.m.

Hours after, people queuing on España boulevard started to call the security’s attention, shouting “Papasukin niyo kami! (Let us in!).”

A woman was also seen calling the medics as one man beside her fainted.

At Gate 14 along Lacson Avenue, people turned rowdy and started pushing as security guards and policemen opened the gate, only allowing medical personnel to get inside the campus.

As tension broke outside the campus, a crowd of 20,000 peacefully heard Mass officiated by former UST rector Fr. Rolando dela Rosa, O.P.

Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo, Philippine National Police chief of directorial staff, told INQUIRER.net that as of 5:45 a.m., crowd was estimated to be at 20,000.

Garbo said UST could only accommodate 30,000 people.

Asked about the reason for congestion at the gates, he said: “We are very strict with the inspection. We also only allowed those who presented IDs.”

The mass was followed by a pre-program, which included praying of the Rosary, practice of cheers and songs for the Pope.

Pope Francis is expected to arrive in UST at 9:45 a.m. to meet briefly with interreligious leaders in front of the Arch of the Centuries.

After a short motorcade inside the campus, the Pope will hear three youths share their experiences of faith.

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