Luneta crowd making history shown in 15 photos

MANILA, Philippines —  The Sunday Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Rizal Park drew a record crowd of 6 to 7 million, Vatican spokesperson Federico Lombardi said.

Filipino made history by breaking its own record set in 1995 for the Papal Mass of Saint John Paul II.

They gathered in the heart of Manila while braving the gusty winds and rains to see and hear the pontiff, who has been attracting thousands in public appearances during his five-day stay in the Philippines.

More than 80 million people are Catholic in the Philippines, which has the third largest Catholic population in the world.

View photos of the record-setting audience in the park, also known as Luneta, as well as the Quirino Grandstand and surrounding roads.