Pope Francis third pontiff to visit pontifical university

MANILA, Philippines - Pope Francis stepped into the grounds of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) yesterday morning and became the third pontiff to visit the pontifical school.

Paul VI was the first pope to visit UST on Nov. 28, 1970, while now Saint John Paul II made two trips to the university in February 1981 and in January 1995.

UST became a pontifical university in 1902.

On the third pope visiting UST for the fourth time, the university’s Office of Public Affair director professor Giovanna Fontanilla yesterday said, “I will always be grateful because it is a blessing and practically a rare moment of grace. So we are inspired in our mission to evangelize and educate.”

UST rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy and UST Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III met the 78-year-old Pope Francis at the Arch of the Centuries.

The Holy Father was then escorted to a papal chair that bore the logos of UST, Pope Francis’ coat of arms, and the Dominican Cross.

He then signed on a guestbook placed on a table that was especially made for him. The book had the UST logo.

There was a painting on both sides of the table; one showed the two past popes who came to the country. While the other painting pictured the backside of a pope, Fontanilla believes this could be Pope Francis.

Her interpretation is that it is Pope Francis facing Jesus that seems to relay the message “Not me, but Jesus” because the Holy Father disliked seeing his face on tarpaulins, banners and preferred to see the face of Jesus or saints.

Upon opening the book, one side will show the image of the Arch of the Centuries, the logo of “Mercy and Compassion,” which is the theme of his five-day visit to the country, the pope’s coat of arms and logo of the host university.

The chair was designed by architect priest Alex Bautista and made by Vitreartus Liturgical Arts of Robert Cruz. The guestbook was designed by Dopley Deplon. 

All three are UST graduates.

Pope Francis received a UST identification card during his historic visit to the achool.

The staff ID with lace was given to him by a boy as part of a welcome ceremony.

The pontiff wore the ID during the entire duration of his encounter with the youth. – With Alexis Romero