Papal Visit 2014: Pope Francis at UST (October 24, 2014)

A New Hero on Campus for the Multiracial group. 

MANILA, Philippines, October 25, 2014 - "I am very anxious to meet you personally after the Celebration to be near everyone of you from so many different languages, countries and nations of the world..."

The Central Seminary Chapel of the University of Santo Tomas

This was the response of Pope Francis to the hundreds of beaming to the hundreds of beaming and jubilant delegates of the Annual International Youth Forum (IYF) who attended the multi-lingual mass he celebrated at the University of Santo Tomas on October 24, 2014.

The Gospel was read. The first reading, followed by the singing of Responsible Psalm while the second reading was in English.

The Pope speaks and writes in nine languages:

• Filipino
• Ilokano
• Ibaloi
• Ibanag
• Pangasinense
• Kampanganan
• Central Bikol
• Romblomanon
• Masbateño
• Palawano
• Hiligaynon
• Capiznon
• Aklan
• Cebuano
• Waray-Waray
• Maranao
• Davawenyo 
• Butuanon 
• Surigaonon
• Standard Chinese
• Jin Chinese
• Zhangjiakou–Hohhot dialect
• Hong Kong Cantonese
• Gan Chinese
• Korean
• Japanese
• Russian
• Tatar
• Chuvash
• Bashkir
• Chechenm
• Ukrainian

For an hour, the Pontiff remained on his feet to bless and greet each IYF delegate in their respective national costumes who queued and thronged down the aisles of the Saint Thomas Aquinas Chapel of the Central Seminary of the University of Santo Tomas.

Touched, many were in tears as they kissed and hugged the Holy Father Pope Francis, who gave them his fatherly kiss, a caress and even brushed away their tears. Simultaneously, the Chapel reverberated with songs in different languages, brought in by the delegates from their countries.

But the familiar sound of a Filipino harp stood out, giving an upbeat Filipino flavor to the whole affair.

“I see the People in the Philippines very joyous,” the Pope adlibbed in his homily to the delight of his young audience.

“Why are they so joyous, full of Joy?” I am convinced you Filipino people are joyous, so full of joy because you have received the Good News…those who received the Good News (are) joyous… (You give) joy to God, today you are giving the joy to the Pope. You are also giving joy to the Cardinals, to the Bishops, the priests, the monsignors, the deacons, the pastors and to all of you. And I Myself and all of us, we are so grateful to the Filipinos for the joyous hospitality… As my personal conviction, it was so important for me to hear these words: “I am with you. Be not afraid.”

At the UST Grandstand.

Despite the long morning audience at the University of Santo Tomas Chapel, the Pontiff skipped his lunch and proceeded to the UST Grandstand at 1:30 p.m. to address the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) member-school students and alumni who had been on vigil since 5:00 a.m.

By the time the ceremonies began the crowd swelled from 80,000 to 300,000 estimated to be twice over the 15,000 expected turnout.

While alighting from the pope mobile a cheering crowd began unfurling banners, flags and streamers and chanting “Francis, we love you.”

The Pope grabbed the microphone by the rostrum and quipped, “Francis, he loves you!”

“I hear and feel”, the pope said.

He sought the help of the UAAP member-schools students and alumni in saving their own generations from the “futility, emptiness and frustration” of modern society.