Over 1000 Filipino youth to welcome Pope on arrival ‎

More than a thousand young Filipinos will greet Pope Francis upon his ‎arrival in Manila, when he visits the nation, Jan. 15-19.‎   Bishop Jesse Mercado of Parañaque, chairman of the papal visit arrival and departure committee, said ‎some 1,200 youths will greet him “with vibrant music and ‎dance”‎  at Villamor Airbase.  Amoong them he said two orphan children will offer him flowers.   Other details will be finalized and made public in the coming days, he said.  Fr. Lito Jopson of the media and information committee said the youths will also perform a ‎‎“Filipino dance” at the airport when the Pope arrives from Sri Lanka at dusk on Jan. 15.‎  Jocson said that among those expected to welcome the pontiff include President Benigno Aquino ‎III, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and Archbishop Socrates Villegas.‎  ‎“It will just be a simple welcome ceremony,” he said.‎   The Pope will fly to the Philippines after his visit to Sri Lanka, Jan. 13-15.  (Source: CBCP)