Tagle calls for balance between securing Pope and allowing access to people

MANILA, Philippines—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said that a balance between securing Pope Francis and allowing the Catholic faithful to get close to him should be met during his upcoming Philippine visit.

Speaking at the INQUIRER Conversations at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila, Tagle joked that the people in charge of Francis’ security “must be paranoid.”

Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on Jan. 15 and stay here until Jan. 19. Included in his itinerary are meetings with religious leaders, youth representatives and victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) and a Mass at Rizal Park.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin earlier said that the government is “looking at all angles, looking at all reports and (acting) on these.”

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said snipers will work with at least 25,000 personnel from the police and the military to secure Pope Francis.

Tagle said he met with the government’s security team in Malacañang on Friday to iron out the security details of the Pope.

He said he was satisfied with the security preparations of the government.

“I like their concern and humility,” he said.

Originally posted: 11:33 AM | Saturday, January 10th, 2015

RELATED STORIES

Securing Pope Francis a big challenge

Aquino: 25,000 soldiers, cops to secure Pope Francis

Palo bishop: Please soften security for people to get close to Pope