‘No lavish spending for papal visit next year’

MANILA, Philippines - Pope Francis does not want to be treated like a celebrity, and prefers a simple welcome when he visits the country next year.

Puerto Princesa Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo told Radio Veritas the Holy Father would not appreciate lavish spending during his visit.

He noted how the Pope was displeased with the reception after the canonizations of St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII. “He thought of it as extravagant, that was why he was displeased,” he said.

Arigo said Filipinos should reflect on the Pope’s message to care for the poor, that excessive spending during his visit would be an “insult to the poor.”

The Pope is known for his humility and his modest lifestyle, preferring to live in a two-room residence instead of the grand papal apartment. He also cooks his own meals and was recently seen lining up for a meal at the Vatican workers’ canteen.

The Pope is set to make an apostolic visit from Jan. 15 to 19 next year. It was earlier reported that he also wants to visit the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.