Pope Francis in Philippines: Millions attend Mass in Manila

Pope Francis is celebrating an outdoor Mass with millions of people in the Philippine capital Manila.


An estimated three million people had already gathered at Rizal Park two hours before the Mass began.



Twenty years ago, more than five million people attended a Mass celebrated here by Pope John Paul II.



The Vatican said Pope Francis would dedicate the service in part to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the country in 2013.



The Mass will be the Pope's final full day in the Philippines, where there are 80 million Catholics, concluding his six-day tour of Asia.


Pope Francis arrived in a "popemobile" based on the design of the local minibuses, known as jeepneys.


Crowds sang and cheered as the Pope stopped at various points to greet worshippers.


Some people had camped outside the park overnight to be the first ones admitted when the gates opened early on Sunday morning.


"We are devotees of the Pope," Bernie Nacario told AFP news agency among the crowds in Manila.



"The Pope is an instrument of the Lord and if you are able to communicate with him, it is just like talking to God himself."

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