Commemorative plaque unveiled at Papal Mass site in Philippines

(Vatican Radio) A commemorative plaque has been placed at the site of Pope Francis’ Mass at the airport of Tacloban City, in the Philippines.

Pope Francis celebrated Mass with survivors of Typhoon Yolanda [Haiyan] - which made landfall November 8, 2013, killing at least 6300 people  -  on January 17, 2015.

Congressman Martin Romualdez unveiled the marker on Sunday, and called Pope Francis a “rainbow after the storm.”

He said the plaque would serve as a reminder for all people to “work together, unite, share the lessons and experience, and to prepare ourselves from these disasters.”

Pope Francis made his visit just as Tropical Storm Amang [Mekkhala] made landfall, and had to cut his visit to the region short, but did have lunch later in the day with survivors of the storm at the Archbishop's Residence in Palo.

“May this blessed image of the Holy Child, the patron saint of Tacloban, the Señor Santo Niño, serve as a symbol of our Almighty God’s mercy and compassion as preached by Pope Francis himself right here in this very tarmac in the presence of over 200,000 people in a momentous and meaningful celebration of life, love, hope, and faith,” Romualdez said during the unveiling ceremony.

The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, sent a message to those taking part in the commemorations stating Pope Francis has been keeping the people of the Philippines in his thoughts and prayers.