MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang had nothing but praise for the Filipino people for showing unity, dedication and cooperation in ensuring the safety of Pope Francis.

In a statement released the day the Pope departed Manila on Monday, January 19, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda expressed gratefulness for the trip’s success.

“In all the Pope’s events, the Filipino people demonstrated warmth, discipline, and faith, making Pope Francis’ visit truly meaningful and successful,” he said.

“We thank our countrymen for their solidarity in ensuring the safety of the Pope: From the thousands who patiently lined the route of the papal motorcade; to the organizations that encouraged mindfulness and helped maintain order during the public engagements of the Pope; and to the millions who participated in the papal activities.”

Lacierda also thanked church groups and the media for helping contribute to the papal visit.

“We recognize the dedication of the different church groups that worked hand-in-hand with government. Their cooperation, as they kept in mind advisories for all the events, contributed to fostering an organized and peaceful papal visit,” he said.

The statement added, “We also thank the media for playing a vital role in the dissemination of relevant information and for promoting government-issued advisories, as well as the telecommunications companies for their cooperation in ensuring security for all and advising the public accordingly.”

Lacierda also commended “lead government agencies for effectively carrying out their tasks during this historic visit: from the thousands of police on the ground, the Presidential Security Group and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and to the many law-enforcement and government personnel that provided necessary support throughout the Pope’s visit.”

“The gratitude of the Filipino people extends to those not directly involved with the Pope’s security – those who manned different posts, as their colleagues were reassigned to safeguard the welfare of Pope Francis and of the many who came out to see him,” he said.

The papal visit, he said, showed how well Filipinos can work together.

“Without doubt, on this occasion, the Filipino people once more showed what could be achieved when we work towards a unified endeavor.,” he said.

During his trip, Filipinos lined the streets and monitored the Pope’s every movement in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the beloved pontiff despite extreme sun and rain. Among the papal events was an open-air mass at Luneta on Sunday, January 18, wherein a record 6 million people waited in the rain to either participate or greet him.

Pope Francis safely boarded a special flight a little past 10 am Monday morning, en route back to Rome after a week-long Asia trip that saw him visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines. – Rappler.com