Pope Francis and the papal entourage was recipient of the famous Filipino hospitality during his five-day state visit and apostolic journey to the Philippines.In a CBCP News post, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto said the Holy Father and the authorities in Vatican want to thank the Filipinos for the best hospitality they received everywhere they went. Vatican Radio reported that Pope Francis sent a telegram to President Aquino thanking him for his meaningful visit to the country.
Pope Francis, his entourage, and Vatican-accredited media that include 14 Filipino journalists left Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on board “Shepherd One,” a special Philippine Airlines flight, at 10:12 a.m. last Monday, January 19. They arrived in Rome’s Ciampino Airport at about 5:26 p.m., Monday, January 19, (12:26 a.m., Jan. 20, Manila time), the Vatican Radio announced.