Black Nazarene now at Villalobos Street

AP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The image of the Black Nazarene has arrived at Villalobos Street 1 a.m. early Thursday but is still unable to get through Plaza Miranda due to the large number of people attending the religious procession.

Devotees have begun calling to open the gates of Quiapo Church while Monsignior Clemente Ignacio, parish priest, has called on the people to move aside and give way to the Black Nazarene.

The procession has taken more than 17 hours since it left the Quirino Grandstand Wednesday morning.

Police have estimated the crowd to be at least eight million.