Filipino cardinals hope for papal visit in 2016

(March 20, 2013) In the Philippines, people around the country offered Masses and prayers on Tuesday morning as Pope Francis set out on his "Petrine ministry." Archbishop Jose Palma, president of the bishops' conference had earlier requested all bishops to offer special prayers for the intention of the Holy Father. Vice President Jejomar Binay represented the Philippines at the inauguration of Pope Francis on Tuesday.
Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, archbishop emeritus of Manila, and Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, retired archbishop of Cebu, invited the new pope to visit the Philippines in 2016. The invitation was extended during Pope Francis' audience with cardinals at the Vatican on Friday. Local news reports said Cardinals - Rosales and Vidal invited the pope to grace the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu. Cardinal Rosales said he told the pope in Spanish, “Your Holiness, the Philippines is now preparing for your first pastoral visit as Pope!" and the Pope smiled and said, "Vamos a ver -Let us see."