DFA chief meets with Pope while preparing for papal visit

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario met with no less than Pope Francis while preparing for the pontiff's visit to the Philippines this coming January.

A photo release posted on the DFA website Wednesday showed del Rosario shaking hands with the Pope at the Vatican last September 3.



The DFA said the meeting occurred during a general audience.

It added del Rosario was at the Vatican September 1 to 3 to meet with Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Dominique Memberti, "as part of the preparations for the papal visit to the Philippines in January 2015."

They also sought to "further enhance relations between the Catholic Church and the Philippine government."

Pope Francis, known for his simplicity, is scheduled to visit the Philippines Jan. 15 to 19.

He is expected to visit areas hit by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which left more than 6,000 dead when it pounded the Visayas and parts of Southern Luzon in November 2013. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

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