MANILA, Jan 28 (PNA) — The Archdiocese of Palo is planning to build a mini-museum that will house several items used by Pope Francis during his visit to Leyte this month.
Fr. Amadeo Alvero, spokesperson and media coordinator of the archdiocese, said they decided to put up a gallery since they want to always remember the day the Holy Father came to their province.
In an article posted on the papalvisitph website, the Catholic priest noted that the Holy Father’s short visit to the province “is really an experience that Leyteños will never forget.”
Among those that will be featured in the mini-museum are the yellow raincoat, skull cap, ciborium, chalice, and linens used during the Holy Mass at the Tacloban Airport.
He said the items are kept by the Archdiocese, while the skull cap is stored at the Gonzagahaus (Archbishop’s Residence) located near the Pope Francis Centre.
On the other hand, Alvero said that there are no concrete plans yet about the putting up of a marker or monument at the Tacloban Airport to commemorate the papal Mass attended by an estimated 150,000 people last January 17.
The visit of the pontiff to the province was cut short by typhoon Amang, although he was supposed to stay in Leyte until 5:00 pm, but the papal entourage had to leave at 1:00 pm due to the storm.
To express their gratitude for the Pope’s visit, the faithful of Leyte gave Pope Francis a “Filipinized” version of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception as a ceremonial keepsake of his visit to the Archdiocese of Palo.
The image, handcrafted by the renowned sculptor Willy Layug of Pampanga, was made from one of the rafters of the Metropolitan Cathedral of our Lord’s Transfiguration destroyed during the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda on Nov. 8, 2013.
The Holy Father recently concluded a pastoral and state visit to the Philippines from January 15 to 19. (PNA)