Pope Francis is putting all his energy into his travels, as he has always done. But this trip to Asia is forecasted to be a really demanding one. Besides institutional types of events such as the interreligious meeting in Colombo upon his arrival in Sri Lanka and the canonization of the Indian Missionary, Joseph Vaz, the Pope will have to face the sultry tropical climate, but above all, an entire population that is expecting a strong message of hope from the visit.

This will be for Francis, a full immersion in one of the many peripheries of the world, so dear to his heart and marked also recently by natural calamities that have inexorably impacted on the difficult social support path in those lands.

Expectations are high and the Pope Francis excitement is building up especially in Manila where more than the five million people who officially attended the Mass of the World Youth Day celebrated by Pope John Paul II in 1995 are expected to participate. The Filipinos have been snapping their selfies beside his life-size cutout image in churches and malls, while the children are preparing to dress up as Swiss guards to welcome the Pope.

During the Christmas preparations, the youth of the Focolare went to the Tacloban and Palo regions, where the Holy Father will pay a visit on day 17, to celebrate with the schoolchildren with games, songs and gifts for the typical ”Noche Buena” or Christmas Eve vigil. This initiative was conducted also in cooperation with the youth from various parts of the world, who are living a concrete community experience in the small town of the Focolare in Tagaytay.

This was their concrete answer to the invitation of the Archbishop of Manila, Card. Tagle, and the President of the Philippine Bishop’s Conference, Bishop Villegas, to prepare for the Pope’s visit by intensifying the works of mercy towards the poor and outcasts. This gesture was not something new for them. Since November 2013, that is, when the country’s historically strongest typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) wreaked its havoc, the Focolare has been organising a series of action aids for the struck population: from first aid to the distribution of food, clothing and prime necessities, repair of homes, moral support to families and those who had lost their loved ones, to the rebuilding plans with the construction of about 40 small houses. The specific program of the ”Start Again” project to help the schools, is still underway.

Besides this, the Focolare undertook to prepare the Holy Father’s visit to the Philippines through a word-of-mouth action and all the communities of Manila agreed to line the streets on January 15 from the airport to the city, to be with all the others in welcoming the Holy Father in person.

The community of Leyte took part in the Commission organizing the visit to the places where the typhoon had struck: to help in the security services during the Papal Mass in Tacloban, and also during the meeting at the Pope Francis Center for the Poor of Palo with about 200 aged people and poor children. A young Focolare member will entertain the participants before the Pope’s arrival.

But for the moment, the happiest are the survivors. Here’s what Farah says: “I am offering all my sufferings for the Pope’s safety and health.” Mark adds: “I am happy to be able to have a close view of the Pope. I feel so privileged. We are very grateful for his visit.”

About ten members of the Movement have been chosen as group leaders for the works of the New Evangelization Convention to be held from 15 to 18 January at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, with 5,000 enrolled delegates whom the Pope will meet on the 18th, before his departure.

Also on the last day, Pope Francis – who will start his trip to Manila with an encounter with families – will meet the youth gathered at the University’s sports field – and in the afternoon – will conclude his visit with a solemn Mass at Rizal Park.

Happy Trip Holy Father!