Pope to preside over mass for Pinoys in Rome

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time, Pope Francis is set to preside over a traditional Aguinaldo mass dedicated to the Filipino community in Rome on Dec. 15, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reported yesterday. 

Quoting Fr. Ricky Gente of the Filipino Chaplaincy in Rome, the CBCP said St. Peter’s Basilica has been hosting such a mass for Filipinos over the years, but it will be the first time this year that a pope will preside over the mass for them. 

“This is the fourth year that we celebrate it in the basilica, but the first time that the pope will be the one to preside,” Gente said in a report posted on the CBCP website yesterday. 

The CBCP said the mass will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Vatican or at around 10:30 p.m. in Manila. It will be limited to 7,500 churchgoers concelebrated by around 150 priests. 

Cardinal Vicar Angelo de Donatris, the vicar of Rome, and Fr. Leonir Chiarello, head of the Scalabrinians worldwide, will also be concelebrating the mass with Pope Francis.    

Expected to attend the mass are Philippine ambassador to the Holy See Grace Relucio-Princesa and the country’s ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco.