Tears as Pope Francis leaves nunciature for last time

Pope Francis waves to the faithful on his last drive through the city before leaving Manila, Philippines, Monday, Jan. 19, 2015. AP

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis left the Apostolic Nunciature on Taft Avenue, Manila, at 9:04 a.m. on Monday for Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for his trip back to Rome.

Hours before the Holy Father left his official residence in the country, police estimated 10,000 people already gathered outside and near the nunciature. Thousands more waited along the route of the Pope’s convoy to Villamor.

And as the pope mobile rolled out of the nunciature gates, the crowds screamed, yelled and waved—many in tears—as they said goodbye and thanks to the pontiff for the last time.

Some chanted “Pope Francis, we love you!” Most waved small white and yellow papal flags.

The Pope is scheduled to leave for Rome at 10 a.m., ending his five-day pastoral and state visit to the country.

Farewell ceremonies are set to be held for the Pope at the Presidential Pavillion in Villamor.

While in Philippines, the Pope paid a courtesy call to President Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang, celebrated a Mass for the clergy and the faithful at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila, and met with thousands of families at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

One of the highlights of his visit to the country was his trip last Saturday to Tacloban City, one of the areas worst hit by supertyphoon Yolanda in November 2013.

The Pope braved tropical storm “Amang” to meet and hold a Mass for residents there, most of them lost family members from the tragedy. He had to cut short his trip because of bad weather.

Also, amid rainfall, the pontiff pushed through with the traditional papal visit to the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas on Sunday morning and his final Mass at the Luneta Park in the afternoon attended by  millions of  people.

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