Pope Francis to bring message of hope to typhoon-hit Philippines

MANILA: Pope Francis will bring a message of hope when he visits the Philippines in January, Church officials said today, on a trip that will see him tour areas devastated by last year's super typhoon.

Millions in the fervently Catholic country are expected to turn out to catch a glimpse of the pontiff during his five-day visit, with officials planning tight security.

The pontiff will celebrate mass in the capital Manila as well as the central city of Tacloban, which was hard hit when Super Typhoon Haiyan swept in a year ago leaving more than 7,350 people dead or missing and condemning millions more to deeper poverty.

"He will come to bring the message of solidarity and hope," Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle told reporters late Friday.

"He really admires the faith and resilience of the survivors."

Authorities are preparing for unruly crowds as Filipinos have been known to hurl themselves at religious icons during frantic processions, said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, who is overseeing government preparations for the visit.

"We are a bit worried about such behaviour -- this is a living image of God," he said.

Ochoa declined to elaborate on planned security measures and refused to discuss any specific threats that authorities are worried about. But he insisted the government would ensure the safety of the 77-year-old pontiff.