Inbound typhoon cuts short Pope Francis’ visit to Leyte

Last updated on: January 17, 2015 at 5:06 am by CNA Daily News

Inbound typhoon cuts short Pope Francis’ visit to Leyte 2015-01-17T05:06:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Manila, Philippines, Jan 16, 2015 / 10:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis regretfully announced his early departure from the Philippines island of Leyte, leading people in prayers for protection against an inbound typhoon.

“I apologize to you all,” the Pope said Jan. 17 at Palo’s Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration. “I am truly saddened because I had something prepared especially for you.”

He led the congregation in praying an Our Father and a Hail Mary before departing for Manila, where he may take part in unscheduled events.

The Pope had been scheduled to spend more time on Leyte after the Mass near the Tacloban airport. He fulfilled his scheduled appointment for lunch with 30 survivors of Typhoon Haiyan and also met with a fisherman and his family.

Pope Francis gave the whole family a blessing, papal spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi told journalists Jan. 17.

The Pope had been scheduled to bless the Pope Francis Center for the Poor. Due to the accelerated schedule, he blessed the center from the Popemobile as he drove past en route to the airport.

The Pope was also scheduled to meet with priests, religious, seminarians and survivors of the disastrous 2013 Typhoon Haiyan. While he met with them briefly, he was not able to deliver his prepared remarks, due to his early departure.

Pope Francis gave a gift to the Palo cathedral: a mosaic of the Madonna del Popolo, the Madonna of the People. The Pope was also presented with a gift: a statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception created from the debris from the typhoon-damaged Palo cathedral.

At the cathedral, he encouraged the congregation to sing “Happy Birthday” to a cardinal.

The second grade typhoon has sustained winds of 80 mph, CNN reports. The Pope’s schedule was moved up 45 minutes to avoid the storm.

Asia - Pacific

Previous Post

January 17, 2015

'We will always be grateful,' Filipino archbishop tells Pope Francis

Next Post

January 17, 2015 Rain during papal Mass a small sacrifice compared to Typhoon Haiyan

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which region did the Israelites wander in for 40 years after leaving Egypt?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Judea Moab Galilee The Wilderness