MANILA, Philippines – Excited and having patiently waited for over 3 hours, some government workers could not help but feel disappointed when Pope Francis did not follow planned “papal route” in the Malacañang Palace grounds.

Francis arrived at the Malacañang Kalayaan grounds on Friday, January 16, at 9:20 am, about 5 minutes behind schedule. As planned, President Benigno Aquino III greeted the Pope when he stepped out of his vehicle.

The two leaders walked to the platform to take their respective places to observe and participate in the welcome ceremonies for the pontiff, before the Pope was introduced to all 26 Aquino Cabinet members. 

After that, the Pope’s route changed. Instead of walking the extent of the red carpet that spanned the Kalayaan grounds as planned, the Pope walked directly towards the Palace, inadvertently skipping government workers who were lined along the abandoned route. The reason for the change is not yet determined.

Gigi Nualda, 58, is a member of Malacañang’s catering services, was part of the crowd that got left out. She felt disappointed the view of the Pope was obstructed by soldiers.

“I expected him to walk the red carpet and come close to us, or at least be waved at,” she said. “We weren’t even able to see him because he was covered by the soldiers.”

‘Still lucky’

Another government worker, Joel Eayte from the Budget Procurements Office, said he was not disappointed but admitted the experience fell short of his expectations.  

“I was expecting to see him closer. I saw him but he was very far,” he said. He recalled that when he came to see John Paul II in 1995, it was much easier because the security back then was not as tight.

“When he (John Paul II) came out of the palace we were right there in front of him. He was riding a popemobile. [There was security] but not as plenty before,” Eayte said.

Eayte, 58, said he would likely not try to see the Pope again either, and may just watch from television. He acknowledged, though, that he was more fortunate than others who waited long hours the night before to catch a glimpse of the Pope during his convoy from Villamore Airbase in Pasay City to the Papal Nunciature in Manila on January 15.

“We’re still lucky compared to the others. When his convoy passed from Villamor, those he waved to on one side were missed by the other side. Plus it was dark. We’re still lucky compared to the others,” he said. 

The Pope has been greeted by frenetic Filipinos in every leg of his visit so far including every convoy he has taken from one place to another. He will be in the country until Monday, January 19. 

On Sunday, he is scheduled to lead an open-air mass in Luneta, that is expected up to 6 million people – one of the largest papal crowds ever. – Rappler.com