Pope to celebrate mass in Latin

Fun in Amman: Pope Francis’ cap blown by the wind during his Homily. Photo by Paul Haring of Catholic News Service / Twitter

MANILA – While Pope Francis will be speaking in English as he addresses the Filipinos during his five-day visit in the country, he will be celebrating Masses in Latin.

Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, chair of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Commission on Social Communications said that the Masses will be celebrated in Latin and the responses will be in English.

He also added that the Pope might make comments in Italian and Spanish.

“He will be delivering his speeches to the Filipinos in English,” he said. “But the Pope is the Pope of surprises. He might make off-the-cuff comments in Italian and Spanish.”

Pope Francis is speaking in six languages—Spanish, Italian, Latin, French, German and English. All of which were spoken during his visit to South Korea.

At least three Masses will be celebrated by the Pope during his visit in the country next year.

Two of the Masses is scheduled to be celebrated in Manila and one in Tacloban City.