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CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews/13 Jan) — At least 200 residents here are leaving for Manila o n Wednesday to participate in the activities lined up for the visit of Pope Francis this week.
Monsignor Elmer Abacahin of the Cagayan de Oro Archdiocese said the delegation, headed by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma is composed of priests and nuns, families and the youth.
Abacahin said the family members—already pre-selected by different dioceses — including the Sendong survivors, will attend the activity with Pope Francis at the Mall of Asia on Friday.
He said the youth delegation including students from Xavier University will be with thousands of youngsters from all parts of the country who will be meeting Pope Francis at the Sports field in the University of Santo Tomas Sunday morning.
“Everyone is very happy. When they start leaving on Wednesday everyone will be in a festive mood,” Abacahin said.
Pope Francis , spiritual leader of the 76 million Catholics in the country will also visit Tacloban, Leyte to meet with the people who survived the devastation caused by typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda last year.
Abacahin said an interfaith gathering will be held at the Freedom Kiosk in Divisoria here to coincide with the arrival of Pope Francis in Manila on Thursday afternoon. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)