Pope leaves for the Philippines

Update: Pope Francis departed the Bandaranayake Airport en route to Manila after a two-day visit, a short while ago. He is due to arrive at the  Philippines, home to Asia's largest Catholic population, in the evening. [caption id="attachment_67899" align="alignnone" width="500"] Pope departs for Manila. AFP[/caption] _________________________________ Pope Francis leaves Bolawalana Pope Francis left the Benedict XVI Cultural Institute in Negombo a short while ago, after blessing the building and the crowds gathered at Bolawalana. The holy father is expected at the airport where he will board the flight to Manila. Pope Francis  commissioned the cultural institution at Bolawalana in  the early hours of today. The facility will cater to  Inter-religious dialogue (to be facilitated in English, Italian, German, French and Russian), Language faculty (a degree for students that will be recognised internationally) and a Higher Education faculty. The facility is said to house a hostel, lecture hall, auditorium, classrooms and a chapel.