"I am here to celebrate with the Catholic community of the Philippines 400 years of the organized and hierarchical presence of the Church in these islands," the Pope said after landing at Manila airport on a hot, overcast day.
The Pope appeared frail, walking haltingly down the steps of his plane and was handed a cane when he reached the bottom. He appeared somewhat unsure of his footing at times and he did not kneel to kiss the ground in the traditional gesture.
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