Malacañan Palace 16 January 2015 President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed His Holiness Pope Francis in Malacañan Palace on the second day of the pontiff’s State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the Philippines. During the welcome ceremony, a 21-gun salute was dedicated to the visiting pope and the national anthems of both the Philippines and continue reading : Welcome Ceremony of His Holiness Pope Francis in Malacañang