The five (5)-day official state visit and apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV for the 41st World Youth Day in Manila, Philippines from January 15 to 19, 2026, it was the re-enactment of Pope John Paul II's second visit for the 10th World Youth Day in Manila, Philippines from January 12 to 16, 1995. The pope would visit Baclaran Church, Malacañang Palace, Villa San Miguel, Manila Cathedral, University of Santo Tomas, the Del Pan area, SM Arena Mall of Asia, Quezon Memorial Circle, Philippine International Convention Center, and Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.
Before the papal visit:
On November 8, 2025, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) began renovations on the Quirino Grandstand in preparation for the January 15-19, 2026, visit of Pope Leo XIV for the 41st World Youth Day, which will be a Catholic festival taking place in Manila, Philippines. According to DPWH Undersecretary Alfredo Tolentino, the renovations aren’t solely for the Pope’s benefit, as the renovations will also be ready in time for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, officially and liturgically the Feast of Jesús Nazareno, held every January 9. Tolentino also said that the renovations are estimated to cost around P20 million. This includes repairs, the inclusion of wooden platforms, and the repainting of the entire area. He added that the DPWH was asked not to spend a large amount, considering the Pope’s frugality. Radio station DZMM also reported that around 400 portable toilets will likely be needed in addition to an additional security feature for the Pope’s visit: a few kilometers' worth of concrete barriers. The DPWH stressed that it would finish all these preparations by December 2025, though they expect to do more follow-up repairs following the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, officially and liturgically the Feast of Jesús Nazareno, which will occur before the Pope’s arrival.
Two specially-designed altars made of bamboo and other indigenous materials are being readied for the two public Masses Pope Leo XIV is to celebrate during his scheduled visit to Manila, January 15 to 19, 2026. A papal Mass on January 17, 2026, will mark the 431st anniversary of the founding of the four oldest Philippine dioceses, Manila archdiocese among them. The pope will also preside on January 18, 2026, at the liturgy closing the 41st World Youth Day celebration. Altars for both Masses are being designed by Filipino architect Francisco Manosa, who also designed the altar used for the beatification rites of Filipino martyr Saint Lorenzo Ruiz during Pope John Paul II's first visit in 1981. Manosa says the primary material used for the altars will be bamboo, "an indigenous and the fastest-growing grass found all over the country." Construction of the two altars, estimated to cost 16 million pesos, is being funded by the Philippine government. Set in the midst of a 10-hectare field on land reclaimed from Manila Bay, the altar design for the quadricentennial Mass features an airy bamboo roof supported by columns clad in bamboo. According to Manosa, the structure resembles the "bahay kubo," a typical Filipino home, which will "express to the pope how much Filipinos welcome him into their individual homes as well as into their hearts." While Manila was founded as an archdiocese in 1595, the Archdioceses of Caceres, Cebu and Nueva Segovia are celebrating their foundings that year as dioceses, Caceres as the Diocese of Nueva Caceres. The bamboo altar for the closing World Youth Day Mass at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, features an arch, a common sight at Philippine fiestas, and will be topped with an embroidered cloth canopy. The altar table will be made of wood and bamboo. Aisles radiating from the altar into the congregation will be lined with bamboo poles and decorated with fresh plants and flowers. Anticipating mammoth crowds for the two papal Masses, about 5 million Communion hosts are being prepared, says Father Mario Sanchez, director of Manila archdiocese´s liturgical commission. Father Sanchez said at a forum on December 1, 2025, on the pope´s visit that about 1,000 lay Eucharistic ministers will assist the 1,500 cardinal, bishop, and priest concelebrants from around the world at the Masses. Among the cardinals and bishops will be those attending the general assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops´ Conferences, January 13 to 22, 2026, in Makati City, south of Metro Manila. The federation is marking its 55th anniversary. Filipino seminarians will assist the pope as altar servers and acolytes, though the pope will also bring his own assistants, Father Sanchez said. For the Masses, about 750 groups of choirs have been tapped from different parishes, seminaries and schools. Jesuit Father Manuel Francisco and Benedictine Father Benildus Maramba are in charge of the liturgical music.
Evangelii Gaudium and the Church’s missionary character; the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium; the role of the Curia and its relationship with the particular Churches; synodality; and the liturgy are the topics that will guide the Extraordinary Consistory that Pope Leo XIV has convened—the first of his pontificate—taking place Wednesday, January 7, 2026 and Thursday, January 8, 2026. Over the course of these two days, the Pope will meet with members of the College of Cardinals—many of whom participated in the rite of the closing of the Holy Door and in the Mass for the Epiphany on the morning of January 6—to foster shared discernment and to offer support and counsel to the Holy Father in carrying out his responsibility for the governance of the universal Church. The Consistory will open tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in the Synod Hall at the Vatican. The proceedings will take place behind closed doors. On the following day, January 8, Pope Leo will concelebrate Mass with the cardinals at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. At 9:30 a.m., the morning session will begin and continue until 12:45 p.m., again in the Synod Hall. Lastly, the Pope and the cardinals will reconvene in the afternoon from 3:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., concluding the two-day gathering.
On the eve of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, officially and liturgically the Feast of Jesús Nazareno of Quiapo, Manila on January 8, 2026, Bishop Rufino Sescon, Jr. of the Diocese of Balanga has formally blessed the Popemobile which Pope Leo XIV will use when he visits Manila for the 41st World Youth Day, will be a Catholic festival later this week. The vehicle has been made to the highest security specifications and has bulletproof tires and a four-inch-thick glass top. Pope Leo XIV's 5-day Philippine tour, which begins on Thursday, will be a major test of his health and stamina; however, Philippine authorities are not taking any chances regarding Pope Leo XIV's security. The money for the vehicle of reinforced glass and steel was donated by several Philippine corporations. Bishop Sescon, Jr., blessed it inside and out. Manufacturers say the vehicle is designed like a battle tank to ensure his safety, with its bulletproof tires and reinforced glass.
"On Thursday morning, January 15, 2026, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas, together with the Land Transportation Office, the Manila, Makati, Pasay, Paranaque, Taguig, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Bacoor, Kawit, Imus, General Trias, Silang, San Pedro, Binan, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao, Calamba and Santo Tomas local government unit, and other government agencies, conducted clearing operations along the routes that crowds will pass through during the El Shaddai gathering. Gabriel Go, head of the MMDA Special Operations Group–Strike Force, said crowding during the gathering also puts unattended vehicles at risk. “Alam naman natin dumadagsa ang tao, pag naiwan po ang kanilang sasakyan, naiwan ang kanilang mga motor, there’s a big chance na ma-damage po ito,” Go said. “Kailangan na rin po talagang i-enforce ang batas sa ating mga lansangan. Unang-una, roads are not getting any bigger; they’re not getting any wider. Cars are getting more and more. Talagang kailangan na po nating mas madiin na batas,” he added. Upon reaching Carlos Palanca Street, authorities encountered "toktok" and e-trikes illegally parked along the roadside. “Naghatid lang po ako ng pasyente kagabi kaya di ko na naipasok doon… Pinapasada, panghanapbuhay po. Okay lang po. Aminado po ako na bawal dito,” a toktok driver said. Authorities said no excuses were accepted during the clearing operation, particularly for vehicles and stalls occupying sidewalks. The owner of one of the stalls was later identified as an executive officer of the barangay. “Ganito na lang gawin natin kasi sir para malaman mo ang totoo, nilagay ako ni chairman dito, kasi may mga nangyayaring krimen dito tsaka may nag-aabutan ng droga dito… Ako na lang po mag-aalis, promise ko sa’yo sir,” Samad Tara, Ex-O of Barangay 647, told Go. “Bukas pagbalik ko, wala na ‘to… Usapang maayos yan ha,” Go replied. Other motorists also pleaded, claiming they were unaware that parking along the roadside was prohibited. Authorities issued tickets to motorists who were not wearing proper helmets or were wearing slippers. On Arlegui Street, all obstructions to pedestrian passage were removed, including tables and chairs, plants, tents, and vendors’ stands. Vehicles parked near Plaza del Carmen beside San Sebastian Church were also towed. “Pina-check up ko ‘yong aso ko…Sabi ko sa mga tao, pwede ba mag-park dito? Pwede daw tsaka may mga naka-park e. Gano’n talaga. Pasensya. Kasalanan ko din… Tutubusin ko na lang,” vehicle owner Michael Concepcion said. Go explained that several vehicles were parked illegally. “Ang naging problema po rito, may mga sasakyan na inabutan po natin na wala naman pong parking ticket. So ibig sabihin po niyan, pumarada po sila illegally… Last day na po ng parking dito, starting tomorrow, temporarily suspended po ang any parking,” he said. In total, 26 vehicles were towed while more than 60 motorists were issued tickets."
First Day (January 15, 2026)
3:00 p.m. - Arrival from Rome using ITA Airways plane and Welcome Ceremonies and Official Reception at the Villamor Airbase
3:45 p.m. - Departure from the Villamor Airbase to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
4:00 p.m. - Stop at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Holy Father addresses the contemplative nuns and religious sisters
5:00 p.m. - His Holiness motors to the Apostolic Nunciature. Lunch and rest at the Nunciature.
Second Day (January 16, 2026)
8:00 a.m. - Courtesy Visit to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. at Malacanang Palace, Manila
10:00 a.m. - Departure from Malacanang Palace, Manila, to the Archbishop's Palace, Villa San Miguel, Mandaluyong.
10:30 a.m. - Meeting with the Philippine bishops and Asian bishops. Departure for the Manila Cathedral after dinner.
11:00 a.m. - Departure for the Manila Cathedral, passing through the Luneta Park
11:30 a.m. - Liturgical Reception and Mass at the Manila Cathedral (attended by priests, men religious, and major seminarians).
1:30 p.m. - Departure for the University of Santo Tomas
1:50 p.m. - Youth Prayer Rally at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Campus. Address of the Holy Father to the Filipino Youth.
The second day of Pope Leo XIV's visit coinciding with the 41st World Youth Day in Manila on January 16, 2026, a prayer rally with the Filipino Youth to be held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Campus, the program features: Sampaguita Lei to the Holy Father, welcome address by V. Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas, student address by Henry S. Tenedoro, representing the youth of the Philippines, youth prayer rally: the youth of the Philippines prays with his holiness Pope Leo XIV, address of the Holy Father to the Filipino Youth, offering of symbolic gifts to the Holy Father, general intercessions, personal meeting of the Holy Father with the Filipino youth, the papal hymn and recessional.
3:30 p.m. - Departure for Tondo (Del Pan Area). Encounter of the Holy Father with the poor (industrial laborers)
4:45 p.m. - Departure for Apostolic Nunciature.
5:30 p.m. - Meeting with Families, SM Arena Mall of Asia
7:30 p.m. - Departure for SM Arena Mall of Asia to Quezon City
7:45 p.m. - People's Mass for peace at the Quezon Memorial Circle
9:45 p.m. - Return to the Apostolic Nunciature
10:00 p.m. - Greetings to the Chinese Communities in Asia at the Nunciature
11:45 p.m.- Supper and rest
Third Day (January 17, 2026)
9:00 a.m. - Holy Mass for the 431st anniversary of the "elevation of Manila as a Metropolitan See and the creation of the episcopal sees of Cebu, Caceres and Nueva Segovia" at the Philippine International Convention Center complex
12:30 p.m. - Departure for Arzobispado de Manila, Lunch with the members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) at the Arzobispado de Manila
4:30 p.m. - 56th Anniversary of Radio Veritas Asia and the 47th Catholic Mass Media Awards at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center
6:00 p.m. - Youth Vigil at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila
Fourth Day (January 18, 2026)
3:45 p.m. - Departure from Apostolic Nunciature to Malacanang Park for a Popemobile ride
4:00 p.m. - Arrival at the Malacanang Park, helicopter ride from Malacanang Park to the back of Quirino Grandstand
5:00 p.m. - Holy Mass for World Youth Day and Angelus at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila.
8:30 p.m. - Helicopter ride to the back of Quirino Grandstand to the Malacanang Park, departure from Malacanang Park to the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium for a Popemobile ride.
9:30 p.m. - Arrival at San Carlos Seminary Auditorium, Meeting with members of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC), dinner with members of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) and other invited bishops, San Carlos Seminary Auditorium, Basement of Lorenzo Mission Institute
Fifth Day (January 19, 2026)
9:20 a.m. - Departure Ceremonies, Villamor Airbase
10:00 a.m. - Departure for Rome using a Philippine Airlines plane
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