President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes His Eminence Most Rev. Jose S. Palma (L), Archibishop of Cebu and President of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress Organizing Committee and His Eminence Charles Maung Bo, SDB Papal Legate and Archbishop of Yangon during the Pontifical delegation courtesy call in Malacanang Monday, February 1, 2016. JOAN BONDOC
After an 8-day International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, representative of Pope Francis, flew to Manila to meet President Benigno Aquino III.
“This morning, President Aquino received a courtesy call from the Papal Legate and the Pontifical Delegation to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC),” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
“During the courtesy call, they spoke about the state visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Philippines, as well as President Aquino’s visit to the Holy See last December—both of which highlight the strength of our bilateral ties,” he added.
Pope Francis visited the Philippines in January 2015 and met with Catholics in Manila and Eastern Visayas, which was badly hit by super typhoon “Yolanda.”
READ: Pope Francis in PH
Lacierda said the President and the papal legate discussed the “successful hosting” of the 51st IEC in Cebu. The event managed to attract 15,000 delegates from different countries. It’s the second time that the Philippines hosted such an event.
The IEC’s history can be traced back to 1881 to promote awareness on the Sacrament of the Eucharist of the Catholic Church.
Bo, during the IEC, praised the Filipinos’ resilience in the face of adversity and calamity.
READ: Pope’s rep praises Filipinos’ strength amid calamities
Meanwhile, in a video message, Pope Francis reiterated his message about Filipinos’ role in helping spread Christianity in different parts of the world.
READ: Pope lauds deep faith of Filipinos