PUSPUSAN na ang paghahanda ng Simbahang Katoliko para sa pagbisita sa bansa ni Pope Francis sa Enero, 2015.
Kahapon ay sinimulan nang dasalin ng Sambayanang Katolikong Pilipino ang National Prayer for the Papal Visit, bilang bahagi ng naturang preparasyon.
Kaugnay nito, hinikayat ni Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president at Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas ang mga Katoliko na makiisa sa naturang natatanging panalangin na dadasalin simula kahapon hanggang sa Enero 14, sa bawat banal na misa, bago ang post communion prayer.
Bibisita ang Santo Papa mula Enero 15 hanggang 19, 2015 matapos magtungo sa Sri Lanka, na nakatakda naman sa Enero 12 hanggang 15.
Inaasahang bibisitahin ni Pope Francis ang ilang bahagi ng Metro Manila, gayundin ang mga naging biktima ng kalamidad sa bansa.
Narito ang teksto ng naturang panalangin:
“God of mercy and compassion, we come to you in our need and lift up to you our nation as we prepare for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis.
(After every invocation we say together: Bless Your Church, Lord)
That we may be faithful to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on Earth.
Bless Your Church, Lord!
That we may be eager to meet and listen to Pope Francis.
Bless Your Church, Lord!
That we may be compassionate with the poor and the needy.
Bless Your Church, Lord!
That we may be merciful with the weak and the lost.
Bless Your Church, Lord!
That we may humbly confess our sins and return to God.
Bless Your Church, Lord!
That we may frequently and devoutly receive Holy Communion.
Bless Your Church, Lord!
Let us pray.
God our Father, we are all Your children. Make of us a nation of mercy and compassion eager to meet Pope Francis.
Make us a nation of holiness and heroism through Christ our Lord. Amen. Macs Borja