MMDA on Pope’s Luneta Mass: ‘Everything is in order’

Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he arrives at Rizal Park to celebrate his final Mass in Manila, Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. Millions filled Manila’s main park and surrounding areas for Pope Francis’ final Mass in the Philippines on Sunday, braving a steady rain to hear the pontiff’s message of hope and consolation for the Southeast Asian country’s most downtrodden and destitute. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

MANILA, Philippines – Shrugging off criticisms that crowd management at Pope Francis’ Mass in Luneta lacked order, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Sunday said that the event went smoothly as planned.

In a radio interview, Tolentino said he was pleased with the agency’s initial assessment after the Mass.

“Everything was in order. Everything that we have planned was implemented,” Tolentino said in an interview over dzBB minutes after the event.

He also added that without the cooperation of the pilgrims, the event would have been chaotic.

According to MMDA’s estimate, six million people attended Pope Francis’ third and final Mass in the country for his five-day apostolic and state visit and lined up on the pontiff’s route.

Injuries were reported after a scuffle ensued on Maria Orosa Street early Sunday morning as pilgrims clambered their way over metal barriers to get to Quirino Grandstand, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said. A 13-year-old boy reportedly fainted after being crushed by the jostling crowd.