A crucifix is displayed in Barangay Cabarasan Guti, a community in Tanauan, Philippines, Feb. 6, 2014. Obedience means to hear the word of God and act on it. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)
Pope Francis presided over a truly festive Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter’s Basilica this morning, March 14, to commemorate the arrival of the Gospel of Jesus in the Philippines 500 years ago.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the former archbishop of Manila and now prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, concelebrated the Mass with him. Because of the pandemic only 180 Filipinos could participate in the celebration, including two cardinals, several priests, as well as women and men religious and lay faithful. Many wore the traditional colorful dress of their islands and waved white handkerchiefs when “Lolo Kiko”—as they affectionately called Francis in the Philippines when he visited in January 2015—arrived.