Luneta crowd swells ahead of Pope’s Mass

In the early morning, tens of thousands of the faithful are seen filling the Rizal Park area where Pope Francis is to celebrate mass to an estimated six million in Manila, Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. AP

MANILA, Philippines – The crowd wishing to hear the Mass of Pope Francis at the Luneta continued to swell Sunday morning.

People started to gather and camp out in the portion of the Luneta between Taft Avenue and Maria Orosa Street as early as Saturday night.

Early birds arrived individually and in groups as the government said it would enforce a

“first come first served policy” for people who would be allowed to stay inside four quadrants fronting the Quirino Grandstand.

Organizers expect six million people to fill up the Luneta and its surroundings for the Mass of Pope Francis scheduled at 3:30 p.m.

The Eucharistic celebration will conclude the pastoral and state visit of the Pope, who will leave for Rome on Monday morning.

Volunteers place an image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage near the altar at Quirino Grandstand as part of the final preparations for Sunday’s eucharistic celebration, which will be officiated by Pope Francis, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 in Manila, Philippines. AP

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