In 1970, Blessed Paul VI became the first pontiff to visit Southeast Asia, descending to the slums of Tondo, Manila and meeting with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas.
In 1981, Pope St. John Paul II held the first beatification rites outside the Vatican and visited UST to deliver a message to university students. St. John Paul returned in 1995 to lead the 10th World Youth Day celebrations and the International Youth Forum, and again to meet the Thomasian community.
The Varsitarian was there to witness history and echo the Popes’ universal call to holiness.
Join the country’s oldest Catholic newspaper asit covers Pope Francis for the fourth papal visit to the Philippines, and the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, on January 15 to 19, 2015.
“The Pope in the Philippines” is the Special Coverage of The Varsitarian, The Official Student Publication of the University of Santo Tomas.
The Varsitarian will be in Metro Manila and Leyte, following the footsteps of the Vicar of Christ, as he brings his message of mercy and compassion.
The Pope is set to arrive from Sri Lanka on Jan. 15. A welcome ceremony for the Pope will be held at the Malacañan Palace on Jan. 16.
Pope Francis will depart for Leyte province in Eastern Visayas on Jan. 17.
In Manila on Jan. 18, Pope Francis will meet leaders of other religious groups and youth at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, and offer a Concluding Mass at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal (Luneta) Park. He will leave for Rome on Jan. 19.
The Varsitarian will bring the news in print and online–log on to www.varsitarian.net/papalvisit and follow The Varsitarian’s official social media accounts.
The Varsitarian is an official contributor to papalvisit.ph, the official website of the apostolic visit; the CBCP News Special Coverage of the Papal Visit; and Veritas 846 Radyo Totoo.
