Palace welcomes Joma Sison’s support for Pope Francis

Joma Sison. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Any message of support for Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines is welcome news.

That was Malacañang’s response to Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Ma. Sison’s statement that it was not true that the New People’s Army was against the pontiff’s visit to the country.

“Expressions of support for the Pope’s visit are appreciated by the millions of Filipino faithful who look forward to the Holy Father’s apostolic visit as an occasion for spiritual renewal,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

Sison, during a web conference last week, called Pope Francis “progressive-minded.”

“He (Pope Francis) is critical and is able to mobilize against the evils of the capitalist system,” he said.

Coloma, however, did not comment on the other issues discussed by Sison, who is also the chairperson of the International league of People’s Struggles.

Sison said allegations that the NPA is planning to threaten Pope Francis were mere “propaganda” by the military.

“They are just inventing things to demonize the revolutionary movement. The revolutionary movement has good relations with the people of the Church,” he said.

Pope Francis will visit the Philippines in January to meet with the survivors of Supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan).