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Pope Francis on Friday called on the Philippine government to tackle corruption and hear the cries of the poor suffering from “scandalous social inequalities” in Asia’s most Catholic country.
The pope went to the Malacanang presidential palace for an official welcoming ceremony led by President Benigno Aquino as tens of thousands of ecstatic Filipinos lined the streets.

Francis, a champion of the poor, pulled no punches in calling for a more just and caring society in the Philippines, which is about 80 per cent Catholic.

	“The great Biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the voice of the poor.”

	Pope Francis
“It is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good,” he said.
Aquino, the only son of democracy champion and former president Corazon Aquino, took office in 2010 on the promise of transparency, good governance and battling corruption to lift the Philippines from poverty.
But he has struggled to shed the country’s image as one of the most corrupt in Asia as he continues to defend his allies, while at the same time chasing down politicians, bureaucrats and generals associated with the past administration.

Francis was driven to the palace from his residence at the Vatican embassy in a small blue Volkswagen Touran, in keeping with his simple, no-frills style. Enthusiastic crowds had started gathering four hours before he arrived.
The Philippines has laid on the largest security operation in its history, with about 50,000 police and soldiers on hand. Francis’ car was flanked by police vehicles, which sometimes made it difficult for people to see him.

“It has been somewhat of a security nightmare for us,” Aquino told the pope in his address.
Francis was saluted by presidential guards at the Spanish colonial palace and greeted by hundreds of people waving Vatican and Philippine flags. Children rushed up to embrace him as he walked along a red carpet on the palace grounds.
REJECT CORRUPTION
The pope urged government officials “to reject every form of corruption, which diverts resources from the poor, and to make concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and child”.
Since taking office, Aquino has executed wide-ranging reforms in graft-laden agencies such as the customs and internal revenue bureaus, helping improve the Philippines’ ranking in watchdog Transparency International’s corruption perceptions index to 85 last year from 94 in 2013 and 105 in 2012.
But cases of high-level officials in central and local governments misappropriating public funds for personal gain still abound. At least 25 per cent of the country of about 100 million are poor, according to the Philippine statistics agency.

“The great Biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the voice of the poor,” Pope Francis told Filipino leaders.
“It bids us break the bonds of injustice and oppression which give rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous, social inequalities. Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and heart,” he said.
Aquino said that, while the Church was instrumental in the ousting of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, it “suddenly became silent in the face of the previous administration’s abuses”. Aquino’s father was assassinated in 1983 when he returned from exile to oppose Marcos.
The president was referring to the government of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has been detained on corruption charges since 2012.

Francis later celebrated a Mass in Manila’s colonial-style cathedral, on the same site where a first church was built with bamboo and palm leaves in 1581. Two rows of boys dressed as Swiss Guards lined its steps as he entered. In his homily, Francis said many were still “living in the midst of a society burdened by poverty and corruption”.
Later on Friday he is due to hold a rally with Filipino families. As many as 12 million people have left to find work in other countries, making the Philippines the fourth-largest recipient of remittances worldwide.

About half of the population has been affected by decades of labour migration and the strain has come at a significant social cost.
Francis has made defence of vulnerable migrants and workers a central issue of his papacy.
 


Pope tells Philippines leaders to end corruption, hear the cries of the poor

Pope Francis and President Benigno Aquino during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace grounds in Manila on Friday. Photo: AP

 Filipino Catholics gather outside the Manila Cathedral early on Friday as they wait to celebrate Mass with Pope Francis. Photo: EPA

Despite safety concerns, Pope Francis travels in an open vehicle unlike the bullet-proof pope mobile employed by predecessors. Photo: EPA

Youth performers twirl umbrellas to greet the arrival of Pope Francis on Thursday. Photo: AP

Despite safety concerns, Pope Francis travels in an open vehicle unlike the bullet-proof pope mobile employed by predecessors. Photo: AP

Young boys dressed as the Swiss Guard, who protect the Vatican, wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Cathedral. Photo: AP 

A nun is pulled from the waiting crowd by security personnel to get closer to Pope Francis at the Cathedral. photo: AP

The Pope conducts Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Manila on Friday. Photo: EPA

Children celebrate as they wait outside the presidential palace for Pope Francis. Photo: AFP

A supporter holds a fan with a picture of Pope Francis during the Mass. Photo: EPA

Pope Francis kisses a child at the Malacanang Palace in Manila. Photo: Reuters

Pope Francis is surrounded by a crowd of people with mobile phones upon arrival to hold a mass at the Cathedral in Manila. Photo: Reuters

Street children detained to clear way for Pope Francis' Manila visit

Mak-Mak and Father Shay at the House of Hope. Photos: Red Door News Hong Kong, Preda Foundation and Bulay Tuluyan.

Mak-Mak and Father Shay at the Preda Foundation home in Subic Bay. Photos: Red Door News Hong Kong

Mak-Mak and Father Shay at the Preda Foundation home in Subic Bay.

13-year-old Angel is left handcuffed to a post in the Reception Action Centre (RAC) for "misbehaving".

Francisco recovers after a picture of his emaciated body sparked outrage over the RAC.

A protest at the RAC sparked by the Francisco picture (left).

Street children in Manila.

Inmate Paulo (right), 42, says lots of children have arrived at the House of Hope recently.

Glean

ABC screen grabs show Glean dancing as Princess (above) and Crow Bar owner Arthur Benjamin (below right) during the police raid.

Ecstatic crowds welcome Pope Francis to Philippines for first papal visit in 20 years

Pope Francis waves to wellwishers in Manila. Photo: AP

Pope Francis walks past cadets from the Philippine Military Academy upon touching down in the capital Manila yesterday for a four-day state visit to the country. Photo: Reuters

Wellwishers try to capture the arrival of Pope Francis using their mobile phones at his official residence in the Philippines in Manila. Photo: AFP

Pope Francis waves to the crowd next to President Benigno Aquino upon his arrival at Villamor Air Base for a state and pastoral visit, in Manila. Photo: Reuters

Pope Francis waves next to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on his arrival at Manila airport. Photo: AP

Pope Francis disembarks from his plane after arriving at a military airbase in Manila.  Photo: AP

Security fears have Filipino leaders on edge ahead of the arrival of Pope Francis where Catholics wait in anticipation. Photo: Reuters

Filipino baby Vincent clasps a calendar showing Pope Francis as his mother Flor, 20, tries to sell souvenirs along the pontiff's motorcade route into Manila. Photo: AP

Filipino nuns pray before the arrival of Pope Francis. Photo: EPA

Students holding umbrellas rehearse a dance hours prior to the arrival of the pope at Villamor Air Base outside Manila. Photo: AFP

Pope Francis says work of rebuilding Sri Lanka must include respect for human rights

Pope Francis is greeted as he arrives at the Colombo airport on January 13, 2015. Photo: Reuters

Sri Lankans hold a portrait of Pope Francis in Colombo. Photo: AFP

Sri Lankans hold a portrait of Pope Francis in Colombo.Photo: AFP

Traffic police told to wear adult nappies during Pope’s visit to the Philippines

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino. Photo: Wikipedia

Filipino motorists in heavy traffic with posters showing Pope Francis prior to his visit being displayed at a street in Manila on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

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Pope Francis calls for 'honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good' in the largely Catholic nation after early morning meeting with President Benigno Aquino


.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Update | Pope tells Philippines leaders to end corruption, hear the cries of the poor

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Pope Francis calls for 'honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good' in the largely Catholic nation after early morning meeting with President Benigno Aquino

Update | Pope tells Philippines leaders to end corruption, hear the cries of the poor

Pope Francis calls for 'honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good' in the largely Catholic nation after early morning meeting with President Benigno Aquino