On the last full day of his pastoral visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass at the Rizal Park in Manila. An estimated 6 million faithful were in attendance.
At the conclusion of the liturgy, Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines offered words of gratitude to the Holy Father for his visit. The Cardinal assured Pope Francis of the prayers of the Filipino people.
Recalling Jesus’ words to Peter in Luke 22:32, he then reminded the Pope that, as the successor of St. Peter, Jesus too prays for him.
Here below are Cardinal Tagle’s words to Pope Francis.
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“Your Holiness, you often end your meetings and encounters by saying: ‘I ask you to pray for me’. We Filipino’s promise we will pray for you. But we also want to assure you, to remind you, that Jesus, Jesus prays for you. Jesus Himself said to Peter: ‘I have prayed for you, Peter, that your own faith will not fail’.Your Holiness, you are blessed. Jesus prays for you. How blessed you are. Jesus prays for you. And we your beloved Filipinos unite ourselves with Jesus in praying for you to God the Father.”
Diane Montagnais Rome correspondent for Aleteia's English edition.
And today we celebrate...