Pope’s visit up at CBCP meet Saturday

Pope Francis. AFP

MANILA, Philippines—The details of Pope Francis’ visit to the country in January next year are expected to be discussed by members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) during their biannual assembly starting Saturday.

“It’s very possible that they’ll tackle that (the Pope’s visit) during their meeting,” said Fr. Francis Lucas, former executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media.

More than 100 bishops from various dioceses are expected to tackle Church matters and pressing national concerns during the three-day gathering to be held at Pope Pius XII Center on UN Avenue in Manila.

The plenary assembly is the highest decision-making body of the CBCP, which meets in regular session twice a year in January and in July. The CBCP traditionally issues pastoral statements after its plenary assemblies.

Pope Francis earlier signified intentions to visit the country, particularly the areas hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

A team from the Vatican arrived in Tacloban City on Thursday to inspect the possible sites where Pope Francis will celebrate Mass during his visit to the Philippines.

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