Pope Francis arrived in the Philippines on Thursday, January 15, for a five day trip. He began the tour in the capital, Manila, and traveled to Tacloban to visit areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. This marked the first papal visit in 20 years to the largest Catholic majority nation in Asia, where massive crowds have welcomed him.
Pope Francis in the Philippines

Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Pope Francis bids goodbye as he leaves Villamor Airbase for Rome on January 19 in Manila. Pope Francis has ended his five- day visit to the Philippines. The visit attracted millions as Filipino Catholics flocked to catch a glimpse of the leader of the Catholic Church. It was the first visit by a pope to the country since 1995.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Pope Francis kisses a boy in the crowd during a motorcade on January 18 in Manila.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Pope Francis greets people and blesses their religious icons as he arrives to celebrate a mass at a park in Manila on January 18.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
The Pope prays in front of a cross during his visit to the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on January 18.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Millions brave the falling rain as they fill Rizal Park and the surrounding area in Manilla on January 18 to hear Pope Francis celebrate mass.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Pope Francis points at the statue of Jesus during his speech as he celebrates a mass in Tacloban, on Saturday, January 17. A rain-drenched but lively crowd wearing yellow and white raincoats welcomed Pope Francis to the typhoon-ravaged central city of Tacloban, chanting "Papa Francesco, Viva il Papa!"
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Pilgrims sit through heavy rain and high winds as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at Tacloban Airport on January 17.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Pope Francis waves to the faithful upon his arrival in Manila, Philippines, on Thursday, January 15.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Well-wishers use their cell phones to try to capture the arrival of Pope Francis in Manila on January 15. In the Philippines, 80% of the population is Catholic.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Pope Francis waves to the crowd with Philippine President Benigno Aquino upon his arrival in the Philippines on January 15 in Manila, Philippines.
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Crowds gather at the Malade area awaiting Pope Francis' arrival on January 15 in Manila, Philippines.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Young boys dressed as Swiss Guards rehearse at the steps of the Manila Cathedral ahead of the papal visit to the area on January 14.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Police line a road in Tacloban, Leyte as they rehearse security procedures ahead of the visit of Pope Francis on January 14.
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Youth and students throw colored powder in the air at the start of the countdown to welcome Pope Francis, on January 14 in Manila, Philippines.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Forty elderly passengers wait to board their connecting flight to the Philippines at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan on January 14. The elderly passengers, mostly Filipino, embarked on the long journey to the Philippines from the US and Canada in hopes of catching a glimpse of Pope Francis during his five day visit, a part of his Asia tour.
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Photos: Pope Francis in the Philippines
Filipinos buy commemorative stamps featuring Pope Francis on January 8. They were released as a tribute to the pontiff who will visit the predominantly Catholic nation from January 15 - 19.
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Parish priests look at a montage of paintings of Pope Francis adorning a section of Manila Cathedral on January 7 in Manila, Philippines.
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