Starting from Pope Francis’ arrival at Villamor Airbase on January 15, until departure on January 19, His Holiness will use the Volkswagen Touran as one of the official cars.
“It’s an honour and privilege for us to become part of His Holiness’ historic five-day visit to the Philippines" said John Philip Orbeta, president and CEO of VW Philippines, the official importer and distributor of VW cars in the country.
Orbeta said that VW PH has provided two units of the Touran for the duration of His Holiness’ numerous engagements here in the Philippines. After the papal visit, one of these two vehicles will be donated to a church beneficiary that Pope Francis will later identify.
Upon the Pope’s arrival on January 15 at Villamor Air Base, he will be shuttled to the Apostolic Nunciature on Taft Avenue, Manila. The next day, Pope Francis will be welcomed in Malacañang before leading a motorcade to the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral), which will then be followed by a motorcade going to the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
On January 17, Pope Francis will fly to Tacloban in Leyte, and then be driven to the town of Palo, where he will meet and pray with the survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” as well as survivors of the Bohol earthquake who are invited to Palo, to meet the Pope.
A youth meeting at the University of Santo Tomas in the morning will be led by Pope Francis on January 18. Then he will be celebrating Mass at the Quirino Grandstand in the afternoon.
Pope Francis leaves for Rome on January 19.
“In between these activities, His Holiness would require a reliable and comfortable ride. The Touran fits the bill as it is a no-nonsense people carrier with impeccable engineering credential,” said Orbeta.
