Yolanda-ravaged Leyte ready for Papal visit

 

MANILA, Philippines -  The Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte is ready to accommodate Pope Francis, who is set to visit early next year several areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

 

Palo Archbishop John Du said that at the moment, there is massive reconstruction work in affected areas, particularly in the place where the Pope will stay during his visit on January next year.

 

Du said Church officials in the area are focused in constructing the Pope Francis Center, which would house orphaned children and elderly people, a medical clinic and a chapel.

 

He said that the center, expected to be finished by December, will be blessed by the Pope.

 

"Even sa road nagtatrabaho na ang DPWH (Department Public Works and Highways), yun mga nasirang road inaayos na ng mabuti i-concrete kasi marami road doon sira. Kaya now they are concreting the road so everywhere you can hear the machineries left and right," Du said.

 

He said the organizers of the activities for the Papal visit have been quiet about the details of the event security reasons.

 

"We are not making into public pa kasi ang instruction sa amin huwag muna i-public ang mga lugar kasi for security reason din", the archbishop told Radyo Veritas.

 

The Pope is scheduled to stay in the country from January 15 to January 19.

 

The last visit to the Philippines of a Supreme Pontiff was by St. John Paul II in 1995 during the celebration of the Word Youth Day.