MANILA — Pope Francis will lead the Angelus during his visit to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Jan. 18, 2015, after his meeting with the youth and religious leaders.
According to Giovanna Fontanilla, UST Office of Public Affairs director, the event will be the pontiff’s last activity at the university before going to the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park for the Eucharistic Mass.
“It is most interesting that the Holy Father will lead the praying of the Angelus at the UST before he leaves the university,” she said during the weekly Papal Visit press conference Monday in Manila.
Pope Francis is expected to be at the Pontifical and Royal University at 10:30 a.m. But there will be pre-program activities, to be participated in by young Filipinos at 6:30 a.m., such as praying of the Rosary, practice of songs, cheers for Pope Francis, sharing of faith, praises and worships.
Upon the Pontiff’s arrival, there shall be an Enthronement of the Cross, followed by a liturgy, reading of the Gospel, Responsorial Psalm, and testimonies of three pre-selected young people — a college student, an out-of-school youth, and a typhoon “Yolanda” relief volunteer.
Pope Francis is also expected to deliver his message to the young people, followed by prayers and intercession in different dialogues to be given by seven youth leaders from different parts of the country.
Fontanilla said that at least 24,000 youth members are going to be at the UST Football Field.
The total slots will be equally divided to representatives of the Manila Archdiocesan Commission on the Youth; Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines– Episcopal Commission on the Youth; Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines; and participants of the 2nd Philippine Conference on New Evangelization.
On the other hand, the UST official said that they are also expecting more people to attend the event, who will be allowed to stay outside the field.
“Their number will be more than the number of those inside the field,” she added.
Fontanilla said that no tickets are required to be able to enter the España, Manila–based campus.
“No tickets are being distributed by the UST to those who will join us when the Holy Father visits the UST. They just come to the UST. It’s one rare opportunity to see the Holy Father,” she said.
This is the fourth time that a pope will visit UST. The first three visits were by Pope Paul VI on Nov. 28, 1970; and Pope John Paul II on Feb. 18, 1981 and Jan. 13, 1995.