by Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News Posted at 01/18/2015 10:28 PM | Updated as of 01/18/2015 11:25 PM
The Pope has given hope to the people, says Vatican spokesperson
MANILA - Fr. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesperson and director of the Holy See Press Office, expressed gratitude to the Filipino people on behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis for the "marvelous" and "incredible" welcome consistently given to the pope during his 5-day visit in Manila.
“Before, it was in Manila, in 1995, at 4-5 million. Manila 2015 is 6-7 million… it is really impressive," he said.
“We have to recognize that the way in which the pope has been received is marvelous. Extraordinary. The pope was very touched. The numbers were incredible. In a sense, the whole nation is around and the pope appreciated it very much,” Lombardi said.
Lombardi said he got the figures from Philippine authorities, but stressed the Vatican entourage had no way to independently confirm the numbers.
These past days have given the Filipinos a glimpse of the “spontaneous” characteristic of the pontiff, according to Lombardi.
Continuing this simple living, the Pope tonight refused the Kobe beef served for his first dinner at the Apostolic Nunciature where he will be staying during his Manila visit.
Instead, he asked for a piece of balut, that lowly but delicious boiled duck embryo peddled in the streets of the metropolis and a favorite food of poor people.
“I came here in solidarity with the poor and disadvantaged, so I want to eat as they eat,” the Pope said in Latin.