Website for papal visit launched

MANILA, Philippines - Want to know the latest news about Pope Francis’ visit to the country early next year? Check out papalvisit.ph.

The media office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) last week launched the website where news, features, schedules, preparations and other updates about the pope’s visit will be posted.

Pope Francis will visit the country from Jan. 15 to 19. He will be the third pope to visit the Philippines after Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1981 and 1995.

The website, which could also be accessed through the CBCP website www.cbcpnews.com , has the picture of Pope Francis and is titled “Mercy and Compassion,” the theme of his visit. It also has a countdown timer for the pope’s arrival.

A video of “We are all God’s children,” the official theme song for the pope’s visit, is also featured on the website, along with the communion prayer to be played in every Mass from Aug. 1 to Jan. 14.