Rorate Caeli: The Pope’s visit to the Philippines from January 15 to 19 saw him celebrate Mass three times for the public — at Manila Cathedral on January 16, at Tacloban on January 17, and a final Mass at the “Rizal Park” of Manila on January 18. This last Mass, the Philippine government claims, was attended by 4 million people, concelebrated by 2,500 priests and 200-250 bishops. (Numerous online sources mention 6-7 million at the Mass, but if the Philippine Star, one of that country’s top broadsheets is correct, the actual breakdown is 4 million who attended the Mass, another 360,000 at the perimeters of the venue, and 2 million along the route of Pope Francis’ motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila to Rizal Park.) More on this here.
