Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
19 January 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III bade farewell to His Holiness Pope Francis at the end of the pontiff’s five-day State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the Philippines. The Pope left the country at 10:12 am onboard a special flight of Philippine Airlines (A340).

Thousands of Filipinos longing to see Pope Francis for the last time lined up along the streets of Manila as the pontiff made his way to Villamor Air Base (VAB) riding the pope mobile. He smiled and waved his hand in response to the Filipino faithful who cheered loudly.

At VAB, children brought by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and students from the Mary Immaculate Parish Special School (MIPSS) performed dance numbers and simultaneously shouted ‘We love you Pope Francis.’

Before entering the plane, His Holiness Pope Francis waved his hand and bowed his head to the Filipino people.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Cabinet members, and the country’s Catholic bishops and cardinals were also present during the departure of His Holiness Pope Francis who is heading back to Rome.

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