BY ATTY. REX S. SALVILLA
ILOILO was among the few cities in the world that a Pope has gone to for the last 2,000 years since the time of the first Pope, St. Peter.
On February 1981, Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to Iloilo escorted by Cardinal Jaime L. Sin.
Upon landing at the Mandurriao Airport aboard papal plane Il Papa in the afternoon of February 11, the Pope was welcomed by the faithful of Panay Island led by Archbishop Artemio Casas of Jaro, Archbishop Antonio Frondosa of Capiz, Bishop Juan Nilmar of Aklan, Bishop Cornelius de Wit of Antique and Bishop Alberto Piamonte of Jaro.
As the Pontiff stepped out of the plane and kissed Iloilo soil, church bells all over the city pealed and people began to recite the Holy Rosary led thru the radio.
Riding on the “pope mobile,” Pope John Paul II passed Molo, City Proper, La Paz and Jaro districts greeted by thousands with streamers proclaiming his papal motto Totus tuus (All Yours).
Along the way the Pontiff blessed people praying, waving the white-yellow papal flags and lighting candles.
At the Jaro Cathedral, his message was: “I have come to Iloilo City to tell you of my love in Jesus Christ.”
He crowned the image of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria and led the faithful in singing religious songs. The next morning, he left at day break.
The following year (April 21, 1982), Pope John Paul II proclaimed Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria the Patroness of Western Visayas in his Quod urbis./PN
