Pope Francis leaves for UST for religious, youth meets

Pope Francis passes past a portrait of himself as he arrives to meet youths in Santo Tomas University in Manila, Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. AP

MANILA, Philippines — Continuing his activities on the fourth day of his five-day visit to the country, Pope Francis left the Apostolic Nunciature at 9:15 a.m. Sunday for the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

The pontiff is expected to arrive at the university after a 15-minute trip.

His Holiness is set to have a brief meeting with leaders of different religions at the UST starting 9:45 a.m.

At 10:30 a.m., he will proceed to the UST Grandstand to meet with at least 24,000 members of various youth organizations who will gather at the university’s Sports Field.

Pope Francis came out of the nunciature in a dark-colored Volkswagen minivan to the cheers of thousands of faithful and well-wishers who stood outside and lined the streets to UST.

The pontiff, who sat on the right passenger side with his window down, waved at the crowds.

From the Nunciature, his convoy went down Quirino Avenue then to Nagtahan Bridge before going down to Lacson Avenue, which leads to the UST.

His convoy entered the gate of the UST at 9:25 a.m.

In the afternoon, the Roman Catholic pontiff will be at the Luneta where he will lead the Holy Mass from the Quirino Grandstand at 3:30 p.m.

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