Don’t expect political fireworks from Pope Francis

With eight out of every ten Filipinos baptized Catholics, and churches nationwide packed for Sunday Mass, the visiting Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church cannot but have immense impact on Philippine politics.

The first papal journey to the country by Blessed Paul VI in November 1970 was marred by the assassination attempt by knife-wielding Brazilan painter Benjamin Mendoza. Disguised as a priest, the assailant attacked soon after the Pope disembarked from the Alitalia plane to be greeted by then-President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda.