Ardor and discipline

As of yesterday, Filipinos have displayed discipline in welcoming Pope Francis. No untoward incident involving the throngs of adoring faithful has marred the Pope’s trips to and from his scheduled activities and his official residence during his stay. Not only those in charge of and implementing the security measures but also the people should be commended for the—so far—smooth proceedings.

It seems like the public and private sectors had a good handle on the scope and challenge of properly hosting Pope Francis’ first visit to the Philippines. The planning actually began last year, immediately after the visit was announced, and continued almost nonstop throughout the Christmas season. (Earlier in Rome, the Pope had asked the people gathered at St. Peter’s Square to “please accompany me with prayers.” He himself had gone to pray at St. Mary Major Basilica, according to Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, head of the Holy See Press Office. “[He] prayed to the Madonna for a safe trip; he always does that,” Lombardi told the Inquirer’s Lito Zulueta.)

With memories still fresh of the attempt on the life of Pope Paul VI in 1970 and the plot to kill Pope John Paul II in 1995, ensuring Francis’ safety during his four-day visit is a top-priority undertaking. President Aquino appeared on TV to exhort Filipinos to do their part, invoking not only the government’s “obligation” but theirs as well. “Do we want the Philippines to go down in history as the country where a tragedy involving the Holy Father took place?” he said.

Malacañang had declared Jan. 15, 16 and 19 special nonworking holidays, thus the traffic-free streets on the papal route. The Philippine National Police had deployed 25,000 officers to provide security throughout the visit; the PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, announced that the 150,000-strong police force would be on full alert. Yet the security measures center on both the Pope’s protection and the people’s wish to see him. “We are considering everything—his preferences, his personality, the crowds that will reach millions. That will serve as a challenge to us,” Mayor said earlier.

The Coast Guard declared Manila Bay off-limits to seacraft and civil aviation authorities declared “no-fly zones” over the various places where the Pope had scheduled events, in both Manila and Leyte. The public endured cut mobile and Internet services at certain periods, with due apologies from the top two telcos.

Still the faithful managed to give the Pope a rousing, indeed euphoric, welcome on his arrival. And they continue to do so at every stop, at practically every step of the way, waiting for hours at Villamor Air Base, the Apostolic Nunciature, Manila Cathedral, Mall of Asia Arena, Tacloban and Palo in Leyte, and the avenues leading to and from these places, with joy, fervor and hope. (“It’s like a big, big, big, big national fiesta,” enthused Cardinal Luis Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila.)

The contingency plans were clearly working yesterday, when powerful rain and wind brought by Typhoon “Amang” forced the Pope to cut short his trip to Tacloban and Palo. Instead of the originally planned 5 p.m. departure for Manila, he had to apologetically skip some events, was airborne at shortly past 1 p.m., and was safely back in Manila an hour or so later.

The big challenge remains today’s Mass at Luneta, where police estimates put the possible turnout at a mind-boggling six million. But for the faithful, it has already been a greatly satisfying visit, and something that Filipinos can be proud of. Director Carmelo Valmoria of the PNP National Capital Region Police Office has gone on record to express thanks. “The people really followed the rules. They listened to our safety reminders,” he said.

Observers will come away with a clear conclusion: It can be done. The faithful can be requested to keep their ardor in check for the orderly and peaceful visit of the man they call the Vicar of Christ. In the matter of crowd control, other than a number of reported fainting spells among those who had spent hours waiting to be blessed or to simply record a historic moment, there has been no mishap. Everyone must continue to do his/her part to ensure that everything holds even as each seeks his/her own grace.