Papal visit organizers satisfied over outcome of the event

Pope Francis waves to the crowd along Gen. Solano St. in San Miguel, Manila while on his way to the Manila Cathedral after his courtesy visit at Malacanang on Friday (Jan. 16, 2015). (PNA photo by Gil S. Calinga)

MANILA — The people behind the just-concluded Pastoral and State Visit of Pope Francis to the country were pleased over the outcome of the event.

According to Bishop Mylo Vergara, chairman of the Papal Visit Central Committee Media and Information, the five-day papal visit was “generally perfect”.

“Given the six months we had to prepare, we have done everything that we could have done possible,” he said in an interview.

The Pasig prelate noted the cheerfulness and enjoyment of Filipino faithful as well as of Pope Francis himself during and after the holding of the different events in Manila and Tacloban.

“Wala namang perpektong implementation pero, in general, in a greater part, naging maayos naman ang Papal Visit (There’s no such thing as perfect implementation but in general — in a greater part — the Papal Visit was orderly),” Vergara said.

He said that they were glad that the faithful stayed where the are, whether they are waiting on the roads to have a glimpse of the Pope on his way to the venues of his activities and those who attended the events, despite the rains brought by tropical storm “Amang”.

“Naging maayos at natuwa naman ang ating Santo Papa at lahat ng mga Pilipino kahit saan man magpunta si Pope Francis (It was orderly and the Holy Father was very pleased everywhere he went),” he added.

Vergara also pointed out the support from both the Church and government in holding the historical event.

“Wala na tayong ibang masasabi na maiiba pa sa sinabi ni Cardinal Tagle: We are happy! (We can’t say anything else other than what Cardinal Tagle said: We are happy!)” said the Catholic prelate.

The concluding Mass at the Luneta on Sunday capped the papal visit, where an estimated 6 million people attended.

Pope Francis left the Philippines Monday morning for Rome on board a Philippine Airlines flight.