Cardinal Charles Maung Bo (center), Papal Legate to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress arrives at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. He was accompanied by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle (right) and Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo (left). (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SAMMY NAVAJA)
CEBU CITY–Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the 66-year-old Archbishop of Yangon in Myanmar, arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City about 8:15 a.m. on Sunday in time for the formal opening of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC).
He immediately proceeded to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral for a welcome ceremony.
Among those who welcomed him were Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, and Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
Cardinal Bo, who was requested by Pope Francis to represent him in the IEC, will preside over the opening Mass at the Plaza Independencia, a popular park filled with old acacia trees and ornamental plants, in downtown Cebu City.
At least 1,500 priests, 200 bishops, and 10 cardinals will concelebrate the Mass which is expected to draw thousands of Catholics including the 12,000 delegates to the IEC.
Roads leading to Plaza Independencia will be closed starting 2 p.m.
The IEC, which is held every four years, aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.
The weeklong congress will end on Jan. 31.