Plays on Pope’s life to run during papal visit

MANILA, Philippines – Two plays on the life of Pope Francis are set to run during his visit in Manila starting January 15.. 

Veteran writer-director Nestor Torre’s With Love, Pope Francis will run from January 15-19 at the Mabuhay Restop theater cafe at Rizal Park and Tacloban.

In a report from the Inquirer, producer Rose Cabrera, talked about the show: 

“With Love, Pope Francis is about the much-loved pontiff’s visit to Tacloban. Aside from telling the Yolanda survivors’ stories, it goes into Pope Francis’ life, to discover what has made him so uniquely loving, caring and charismatic,” she said. 

To make the play, Rose and Nestor personally went to Tacloban and talked with the Yolanda victims – this, along with the requisite research on the Pope’s life.

Pope Francis is scheduled to celebrate mass on January 18 at Rizal Park.

A musical, I Love Pope Francis will be shown on January 17 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The musical was previously staged at the Holy Angel University Theater in Pampanga.

In an Inquirer feature, Alvin Alviz, the show’s musical director, said that musical’s production in Manila was made possible by Ambassador to the Holy See Maria Mercedes Tuason, who wants to bring the play not only to Manila but also to Rome.

The 2-act play tackles how Pope Francis is bringing the teachings of Jesus Christ to a world where poverty is still a big challenge and conflicts continue. The musical features 24 original songs, wherein 20 young people, 5 priests and others professionals are part of the production.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis is the first pope from the Americas. He was chosen in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI stepped down. – Rappler.com