Papal legate Alfonso Cardinal Lopez Trujillo said the Pope would have loved to visit the Philippines anew since the Filipino people have a special place in his heart, but he had to skip the affair on the advice of doctors.
"I love the Philippines so much. I encourage every Filipino family to attend the festive meeting because the future of humanity passes by way of the family," the Pope said in his message.
Trujillo said there are threats to the families worldwide because of legislation that run contrary to the teachings of the Church, foremost among which is the legalization of abortion.
Trujillo, who hails from Colombia, said this is his second visit to the Philippines. He first arrived in the country in 1995 during the inauguration of the First World Family Congress.
Trujillo was welcomed at the airport by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and Papal Nuncio Antonio Franco. – Rey Arquiza