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Mass for New Pope at Manila Cathedral
The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines celebrates the election of the new Pope, His Holiness Benedict XVI, with a Mass at the Manila Cathedral Tuesday, April 26 at 10 a.m.
The concelebration of the Holy Eucharist will have as celebrants the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Antonio Franco, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales, the archbishops and bishops, and clergy of thePhilippines. Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, of the Diocese of Imus, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Doctrines and Faith of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, will deliver the homily.
In a letter announcing the celebration, Archbishop Franco said that it will be the Philippine Church's _expression of solidarity and communion with the Successor of St. Peter.
"With this celebration we join thanksgiving to the Good Shepherd who continues to tend His Church through the Successor of Peter and in tribute of faith, as well as love and prayer for our new Holy Father," Archbishop Franco said.
The occasion according to the Apostolic Nuncio will also be the local church's celebration of Pope' Day which is traditionally marked on June 29, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Government officials led by the President, members of the Diplomatic Corps and Catholic lay leaders have been invited to the Mass.
The Archdiocese of Manila will also launch on that day during the Mass the start of the year-long preparation for the silver jubilee of the establishment of the Manila Cathedral as a Papal Minor Basilica. The cathedral was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope John John Paul II on April 1979.
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