Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Papal visit by the numbers

58 HECTARES Land area of Rizal Park
1-1.2 MILLION Estimated capacity of Rizal Park
6 MILLION Expected number of people to attend Mass at Rizal Park
4 MILLION Estimated number of people who attended the Mass led by Pope John Paul II on January 15, 1995—“the largest papal crowd in history”—according to Guinness World Records
200 Number of bishops who will attend the Pope’s Mass
2,500 Number of priests who will attend the Pope’s Mass
5,000 Number of lay ministers to give Communion during the Pope’s Mass
60,000 Number of choir members accompanied by a 200-member orchestra that will provide music at the Pope’s Mass
400 Portalets that will be set up around the park
20 First-aid stations that will be set up around the park
18 LED screens that will be set up along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard to Anda Circle to allow spillover crowds to follow the Mass at Quirino Grandstand

Compiled by Mariele Medina

Source: Inquirer Archives

papal mass update

MMDA on Pope’s Luneta Mass: ‘Everything is in order’

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/666230/mmda-on-popes-luneta-mass-everything-is-in-order#ixzz3Wbf70XeC

Shrugging off criticisms that crowd management at Pope Francis’ Mass in Luneta lacked order, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Sunday said that the event went smoothly as planned.

In a radio interview, Tolentino said he was pleased with the agency’s initial assessment after the Mass.

“Everything was in order. Everything that we have planned was implemented,” Tolentino said in an interview over dzBB minutes after the event.

He also added that without the cooperation of the pilgrims, the event would have been chaotic.

According to MMDA’s estimate, six million people attended Pope Francis’ third and final Mass in the country for his five-day apostolic and state visit and lined up on the pontiff’s route.

Injuries were reported after a scuffle ensued on Maria Orosa Street early Sunday morning as pilgrims clambered their way over metal barriers to get to Quirino Grandstand, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said. A 13-year-old boy reportedly fainted after being crushed by the jostling crowd.

4 million heard Papal Mass in Luneta

By Mike Frialde (philstar.com) | Updated January 18, 2015 - 7:35pm

At least six million people gathered at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park (formerly Luneta) and the route of the papal motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature to the historic park during the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on Sunday afternoon.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the crowd estimate in Rizal Park for the Mass of Pope Francis was four million and people at the park's perimeter numbered at least 360,000.

Additional two million people gathered along the route of Pope Francis' motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature to Rizal Park.

The pope arrived at the rain-soaked Rizal Park at 2:43 p.m. aboard a jeepney-inspired popemobile and started the Mass early at 3 p.m.

In his homily, the pope expressed his concern for the family and urged the millions of pilgrims attending the outdoor Mass to "protect" the family.

"[The Santo Nino] reminds us of the importance of protecting our families and those larger families, which are the Church, God's family, and the world, our human family," the Roman Pontiff said in English.

Meanwhile, the MMDA said that six children who got separated from their relatives remained in the care of the agency as of 3 p.m.

The MMDA identified the children as Nicole Coryna, 9; Trishia Yanib, 8; Mary Zyle Guinto, 12; Leegil Bret, 12; Eriza Zapico; Joshua Dalmatio, 7.

Two adults were also brought to the MMDA’s “lost and found tents” after they were found separated from their relatives. They were identified as Nena Clark, 66; and Sol San Dingan, 57. Jona Espejo

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/01/18/1414339/4-million-heard-papal-mass-luneta

Due to long lines at portalets, devotees relieve themselves elsewhere January 18, 2015 2:19pm

As the lines to portalets and public restrooms in nearby restaurants and fastfood chains continue to grow, many of the devotees who have gathered in Manila for the Pope's Mass have decided to relieve themselves in elsewhere.

Some men used a fence at a construction site to relieve themselves, while a father told his son to do it behind a tree.

A number of women were also seen covering themselves and others with tarpaulin to urinate.

Millions are expected to attend the Pope's Mass on Sunday afternoon at the Quirino Grandstand.

As of posting time, a portion of Rizal Park near the Lapu-Lapu Shrine already reeks of urine. — Amita Legaspi/BM, GMA News
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/popefrancis/story/409255/due-to-long-lines-at-portalets-devotees-relieve-themselves-elsewhere

Pope holds final motorcade before departure (philstar.com) | Updated January 19, 2015 - 9:07am

Pope Francis is now on his way to Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for his departure for Rome, Italy on Monday morning.

The pontiff is on board the pope mobile which left the Apostolic Nunciature around 9:04 a.m.

Numerous Filipinos again lined up along the papal route to get their final glimpse of the esteemed Catholic leader.

Pope Francis is scheduled to be given a send-off ceremony at the Presidential Pavilion of the Villamor Air base at 9:45 a.m. and is set to depart for Rome at 10 a.m.

The pope is concluding his five-day state and apostolic visit here, which has been highlighted by his trip to typhoon-hit Leyte on Saturday.

On Sunday, he also officiated a holy mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, which was attended by a record crowd of six million.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/01/19/1414559/pope-holds-final-motorcade-departure