Pope Francis "loves all," including VIPs–Palo Archdiocese

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – "The Pope loves all of us," declared Father Amadeo Alvero, social communications coordinator of the Palo Archdiocese, in reaction to a news report that Archbishop John Du stated that Pope Francis has expressed his desire to stay away from politicians and VIPs during his visit to Leyte next year.

Alvero clarified that the Pope is not just a religious leader, but also a head of state, thus, he will be given an official welcome by political leaders of the places he will be visiting.

This would mean that Mayor Alfred Romualdez and other officials of Tacloban City, where the airport is located, and Leyte officials led by Governor Dominic Petilla and his mother, Mayor Remedios Petilla of Palo town where the the archdiocese seat is located, will be with the Pope during the visit.

Father Chris Arthur Militante, information and social communications officer, surmised that what Archbishop Du meant was that the Pope was not here to visit as a head of state, but as the Church's pastoral leader with focus on condoling and comforting Yolanda victims.

Militante also reminded that the Tacloban and Palo officials "are also Yolanda victims," and that the official welcome of the Pope cannot be dispensed with and will be accorded to him by all the parties involved at the Tacloban airport.

Part of Du's message furnished to the media earlier states: "We are trying our best to prepare for this great event and are very thankful for the help and support of our leaders in the Church and in government, ... We, too, in Lyete are expecting hundreds of thousands to join us ... Let us prepare for his coming together, without bickering and without undermining each other's participation ... that it may truly be a time of grace for our country and for everyone." — Lalaine M. Jimenea with reports from Tootsie Maye