Pope Francis in PH: Schedule, closed roads Guide in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Welcome to the Philippines Pope Francis (Lolo Kiko)!

Pope Francis in PH: Schedule, Itinerary, closed roads in Metro Manila


From January 15-19, 2015, His Holiness Pope Francis will bring his message of “mercy and compassion” to at least 11 different venues in the province of Leyte and Metro Manila during his Apostolic Visit to the Philippines.

Pope Francis is expected to arrive in Manila from Sri Lanka, the first leg of his Asian trip, by plane around 5:45pm on Thurday, January 15, and will go on a motorcade to his official residence at the Apostolic Nunciature in Taft Avenue, Manila.

On January 16, Pope Francis will be officially welcomed by President Benigno 'PNoy' S. Aquino III at the Malacañan Palace on J. P. Laurel Street in Manila. The Pope will also meet Philippine authorities and members of the diplomatic corps.

After the Palace reception, Pope Francis will go on a motorcade to the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral) in Intramuros for a Mass with bishops, priests, and women and men religious. Later, he will have an encounter with families at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

In Leyte Province in Eastern Visayas, Pope Francis will visit the Archdiocese of Palo. He will offer Mass near Tacloban Airport in the morning of January 17 and will have lunch with the poor and survivors of natural calamities at the residence of the Archbishop of Palo. Afterwards he will bless the Pope Francis Center for the Poor in Palo, and visit the Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (Palo Cathedral) to meet with priests and women and men religious.

On January 18, the Pope will meet religious leaders and young people at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila. In the afternoon, he will go on a motorcade for the Concluding Mass at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal (Luneta) Park.

Pope Francis will leave the country on January 19.

Here's the Official Apostolic Trip of Pope Francis (January 15-19, 2015):

Thursday 15 January 2015
17:45 Arrival at Villamor Air Base in Manila (OFFICIAL WELCOME)

Friday 16 January 2015
09:15 WELCOME CEREMONY at the Malacañan Palace
COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT

10:15 MEETING WITH THE AUTHORITIES and the DIPLOMATIC CORPS at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Presidential Palace

11:15 HOLY MASS with the bishops, priests, women and men religious at the Cathedral – Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Manila

17:30 MEETING with the FAMILIES at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila

Saturday 17 January 2015
08:15 Departure by plane from Manila for Tacloban

09:30 Arrival at the airport of Tacloban

10:00 HOLY MASS near Tacloban International Airport

12:45 Lunch with some of the survivors of typhoon Yolanda at the Archbishop’s Residence in Palo

15:00 Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor

15:30 MEETING with the Priests, Women and Men Religious, Seminarians and Families of the Survivors at the Cathedral of Palo

17:00 Departure by plane for Manila

18:15 Arrival at Villamor Air Base in Manila

Sunday 18 January 2015
09:45 Brief Meeting with the Religious Leaders of the Philippines at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila

10:30 MEETING WITH THE YOUTH at the Sports Field of the University

15:30 HOLY MASS at Rizal Park in Manila

Monday 19 January 2015
09:45 Leave Taking Ceremony at the Presidential Pavilion of Villamor Air Base in Manila

10:00 Departure by plane from Manila for Rome

17:40 Arrival at the airport of Rome/Ciampino


Metro Manila roads closed for Papal visit


January 15, Thursday

Starting 3 p.m. for Pope's arrival at Villamor Air Base

Main Routes
  • Villamor Air Base Gate 5 - 5.50 km
  • Andrews Ave - 2.32 km
  • Domestic Road - 1.60 km
  • NAIA Road - 1.60 km
  • Roxas Boulevard - 10.64 km
  • Quirino Ave 1.98 km
  • Taft Avenue - 0.26 km
Other roads
  • Sales Bridge - 2.32 km
  • SLEX/Skyway to Magallanes - 3.84 km
  • Osmena Highway - 9.12 km
  • Quirino Avenue - 1.86 km
  • Alternate routes

The MMDA also advised motorists to take these alternate routes during the Pope's five-day state and pastoral visit, but warned that heavy traffic may ensue due to the closure of major roadways.

From Sucat Road Northbound:

Along Kabihasnan, turn right at Coastal Road, turn left at Pacific Avenue, turn right at Macapagal Boulevard, turn right at EDSA, turn left at Arnaiz Avenue, turn right at Amorsolo Street, turn left at Rufino Street, turn right at Chino Roces Avenue, turn left at J.P. Rizal, straight to Tejeron, to destination.

From EDSA to Coastal:

Along EDSA, turn left at Macapagal Boulevard, left at Pacific Avenue, turn right at Coastal Road, to destination.

From Taft Avenue to Manila:

Option 1: Along Taft Avenue, turn right at P. Ocampo Street, turn right at Arellano Avenue, turn left at Zobel Roxas, turn left at Onyx, to destination.

Option 2: Along Taft Avenue, turn right at Ocampo Street, turn left at Arellano Avenue, left at Estrada, turn right at Singalong, right at Esguerra, turn left at Angel Linao, to destination.

From Luneta to Paco:

From Luneta, take TM Kalaw or Pedro Gil, to destination.
From Taft Avenue / Ayala Boulevard to Santa Ana:
Along Taft, turn left at Pedro Gil, to destination.


January 16, Friday

Starting 6 a.m. for Pope's Malacañang visit

Main routes
  • Taft Avenue
  • Pres. Quirino Avenue
  • Nagtahan
  • JP Laurel to destination

Other routes

  • Pres. Quirino Avenue
  • Roxas Boulevard
  • P. Burgos
  • Finance Road
  • Ayala Boulevard
  • P. Casal
  • Gen. Solano to destination
  • Alternate routes


Along Taft Avenue Northbound

Along Taft Avenue, turn right at P. Ocampo Street, turn left at Arellano Street, left at Estrada Street, turn right at Singalong, right at Esguerra, turn left at Angel Linao to Gen. Luna St. to Romualdez Street / Belen, turn right at Padre Faura to destination.

Along Taft Avenue Southbound

Along Taft Avenue, turn right at Padre Faura, left at M. Adriatico or MH Del Pilar, to destination

Along Pres. Osmeña Highway Northbound

Along Pres. Osmeña Highway, turn right at San Andres, turn left at A. Francisco Street, left at Onyx Street, turn right at Pedro Gil, straight to New Panaderos, turn left at F. Sanchez, left at V. Mapa, straight to R. Magsaysay Boulevard, to destination.

Along Quezon Boulevard Southbound

Along Quezon Boulevard, straight to P. Burgos, turn left at Maria Orosa, turn right at TM Kalaw, turn left at J. Bacobo, turn right at Padre Faura, turn left at M. Adriatico or MH Del Pilar, to destination.

Along Roxas Boulevard to Makati

Along Roxas Boulevard, turn right at Buendia Avenue, to destination

Starting 8 a.m. for Pope's Manila Cathedral audience

Principal route

  • Gen. Solano
  • P. Casal
  • Ayala Boulevard
  • Finance Road
  • P. Burgos Avenue
  • Bonifacio Drive
  • Anda Circle
  • Andres Solano Jr. Avenue to destination

Other roads

  • Dr. Jose P. Laurel
  • Nagtahan Bridge
  • Guazon Avenue to UN Avenue
  • Maria Orosa
  • Finance Road
  • Gen. Luna to destination
  • Alternate routes


Along R-10 Eastbound

Along R-10, take service road then turn left at CM Recto, turn left at Legarda, to R. Magsaysay Boulevard, to destination.

Along R-10 Southbound

Along R-10, take service road then turn left at Muelle Dela Industria at Barcelona, turn right at San Fernando, right at Juan Luna, turn left at San Vicente, turn right at Jones Bridge, to destination.

All vehicles utilizing Jones Bridge, McArthur Bridge and Quezon Bridge

Take Lagusnilad, to Taft Avenue, take northbound lane

Along Roxas Boulevard Northbound

Along Roxas Boulevard, turn right at TM Kalaw, turn left at Taft Avenue, straight to P. Burgos, take Jones Bridge, to Q. Paredes, straight to Reina Regente, to CM Recto, to destination.

Along AH Lacson Wesbound

Along AH Lacson, turn right at Legarda, right at CM Recto, take U-turn then right at Quezon Boulevard, to destination.

Starting 10 a.m. for Pope's travel to the Nunciature

Main route

  • Gen. Luna
  • Soriano Avenue
  • Anda Circle
  • Bonifacio Drive
  • Roxas Boulevard
  • Quirino Avenue
  • Taft Avenue to destination

Other roads

  • P. Burgos
  • Finance Road


Alternate routes

All vehicles utilizing Jones Bridge, McArthur Bridge and Quezon Bridge Southbound

Option 1: Take Lagusnilad to Taft Avenue (take northbound lane), turn left at Pedro Gil / Malvar / Remedios, turn right at Singalong, right at Estrada, to destination.

Option 2: Along P. Burgos, turn left at Maria Orosa, turn right at TM Kalaw, turn left at MH Del Pilar, left at Pedro Gil, turn right at M. Adriatico, to destination.

Along Taft Avenue Northbound

Along Taft Avenue, turn right at P. Ocampo Street, turn left at Arellano, left at Estrada, turn right at Singalong, right at Esguerra, left at Angel Linao to Gen. Luna, turn right at Romualdez, straight to Natividad Lopez, to destination.

Along R-10 Southbound

Along R-10, take service road then turn left at Muelle Dela Industria, left at Barcelona, right at San Fernando, right at Juan Luna, left at San Vicente, right at Jones Bridge, to destination.

Alongn R-10 Southbound

Along R-10, take service road then left at CM Recto, left at Legarda, left at Nagtahan, straight to Pres. Quirino Avenue, turn left at Pres. Osmeña Highway, to destination.

Along Roxas Boulevard Northbound

Along Roxas Boulevard, turn right at Vito Cruz, right at Arellano, left at Zobel Roxas Avenue, left at Pres. Osmeña Highway, right at Pres. Quirino Avenue, left at Legarda, straight to CM Recto, to destination.

Starting 4 p.m. for Pope's travel to the SM Mall of Asia (MOA Arena) for meeting with families

Main route

  • Taft Avenue - 0.26 km
  • Quirino Avenue - 1.98 km
  • Roxas Boulevard - 6.26 km
  • EDSA - 1.64 km
  • Mall of Asia - 0.56 km
  • JW Diokno Boulevard - 0.50 km


Other roads

  • P. Ocampo - 1.94 km
  • Bukaneg - 1.30 km

How to get there

  • Attendees may use tributary roads proceeding to the ceremonial route.
  • Attendees may proceed to the immediate vicinity of the ceremonial rought starting 1 p.m.
  • Attendees may only occupy the portion of the road assigned to them once the route has been cleared and upon the signal of the security personnel assigned there.
  • Motorists coming from the north side can use Macapagal Boulevard until 3 p.m. hrough the sea side to reach SM Mall of Asia and park at designated parking areas. Motorists coming frmo the south side may use the drop-off point in the vicinity of EDSA extension / Diokno Avenue and walk to the venue.
  • Attendees may start entering the SM MOA Arena at 11 a.m.. The gates will close at 3:30 p.m.
  • Alternate routes from 2 p.m. onwards


Along Roxas Boulevard Southbound

Along Roxas, turn left at TM Kalaw or Pedro Gil, to destination

All vehicles utilizing three bridges (Jones Bridge, McArthur Bridge and Quezon Bridge)

Take Lagusnilad to Taft Avenue, turn left at Pedro Gil, turn right at Singalong, turn left at Pres. Quirino Avenue, turn right at Pres. Osmeña Highway, to destination.

Along Pres. Quirino Southbuond

Along Quirino, turn left at Pres. Osmeña Highway, to destination.

Along Pres. Quirino Northbound

Along Quirino, take Plaza Dilao to Quirino Extension, turn left at UN Avenue, to destination.

Along Taft Avenue NorthboundA

Along Taft, turn right at Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, take U-turn to Domingo Street, right at Vito Cruz, turn left at Arellano, left at Estrada, turn right at Singalong, right at Esguerra, turn left at Angel Linao, to destination.

Along Coastal Road/Roxas Boulevard

Along Coastal Road/Roxas Boulevard, turn right at EDSA, to destination.

January 17, Saturday

Starting 4:30 a.m. for Pope's travel to Villamor Air Base, where he will take off for Tacloban City

Main route

  • Taft Avenue - 0.26 km
  • Quirino Avenue - 1.98 km
  • Osmeña Highway - 9.12 km
  • SLEX to Magallanes - 3.84 km
  • Sales Bridge to destination - 2.32 km

Other roads:

  • Roxas Boulevard - 10.64 km
  • NAIA Road - 1.60 km
  • Domestic Road - 2.32 km
  • Andrews Avenue to destination - 5.50 km
  • Starting 3 p.m. for Pope's travel fro Kalayaan Lounge to Apostolic Nunciature (closed vehicle)

Principal route

  • Sales Bridge to Skyway Ramp - 2.32 km
  • Osmena Highway - 3.84 km
  • Quirino Avenue - 9.12 km
  • Taft Avenue to destination - 0.26 km

Other roads

  • Villamor Air Base Gate 5 - 5.50 km
  • Andrews Avenue - 2.32 km
  • Domestic Road - 2.32 km
  • NAIA Road - 1.60 km
  • Roxas Bouevard - 10.64 km

January 18, Sunday
Starting 6:30 a.m. for Pope's travel to the University of Santo Tomas (UST)

  • Taft Avenue
  • Quirino Avenue to Nagtahan to Lacson Avenue
  • España Boulevard to UST Gate


Starting 8:30 a.m.

  • Quezon Bridge to Quezon Boulevard
  • Lerma Street to España to UST


Starting 8:30 a.m. for Pope's travel to Rizal Park (Luneta) / Quirino Grandstand


  • Taft Avenue
  • UN Avenue to Maria Orosa Street
  • P. Burgos
  • Roxas Boulevard
  • South Drive to Ocean Park entrance

Starting 10:30 a.m.

  • Taft Avenue to Quirino Avenue
  • Roxas Boulevard
  • Kalaw Avenue
  • Maria Orosa Street
  • P. Burgos
  • Roxas Boulevard
  • South Drive to Ocean Park

January 19, Monday

Starting 6 a.m. for Pope's travel to the Villamor Air Base, where he will take off for Rome

  • Taft Avenue
  • Quirino Avenue
  • Roxas Boulevard
  • NAIA Road
  • Domestic Road
  • Airport Road to Andrews Avenue
  • Villamor Air Base Gate 5

Starting 8 a.m.

  • Taft Avenue
  • Quirino Avenue
  • Osmeña Highway
  • SLEX to Magallanes
  • SLEX to Sales Bridge
  • Villamor Air Base Gate 5


MMDA also announced on Thursday that number coding is lifted on January 15,16 and 19 in Metro Manila, including Makati & Las Piñas.



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