It’s 44 years today ( November 20 ) since the first visit of a pope to the Philippines. Blessed Paul VI – the first to fly ( surely a miracle ) - survived an attack by a knife-wielding man on his arrival at the "old " Manila International Airport. Last month he was beatified ( blessed ) following the birth of a healthy boy – despite predictions he would suffer serious birth defects – to a mother who had prayed to Pope Paul. This pope led the Church for 15 years, and his most controversial encyclical was “ Humanae Vitae “ ( restating the traditional ban on contraception ).


A commemorative silver coin ( 39 mm diameter ) bears the lettering " Pagdalaw ( visit ) ng Papa sa Pilipinas / Papa Paulo VI ", and on the obverse " Pangulo ( President ) ng Pilipinas / Ferdinand E. Marcos “. It’s " demonetized " ( not legal tender ) and worth much more than 1 " piso ".









The second Pope to visit the Philippines, Pope St John Paul II, actually visited twice - in 1981 ; and in 1995, attracting about 5 million people.



The third will be Pope Francis, expected to visit between 15 – 19 January 2015. He is scheduled to celebrate at least three public Masses – at the Manila Cathedral, the Luneta national park, and in Tacloban City.


Support for the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 - expanding public access to family planning and reproductive health services, and reducing maternal mortality - might be helpful.

Security will need to be tight - up to 6 million people may attend Mass in Luneta.

Let’s hope his visit is safe, beneficial to Filipinos, and successful .