The Vatican, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – Church officials in the Philippines have just publicly released the itinerary of Pope Francis when he visits the country January 15-19, 2015.

It will be a busy schedule for the charismatic leader of the Roman Catholic Church. It includes a meeting with President NoyNoy Aquino and other government officials, a visit with the victims of last year’s Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in Tacloban, a youth rally at the the oldest Catholic University in Asia (University of Santo Tomas), and a shopping spree at the SM Mall of Asia.

Upon receiving details of his Philippine schedule, Pope Francis said that he will skip the meeting with Aquino at Malacañang, the presidential palace.  Instead, the Pope said he would like to spend an extra day in Tacloban, the city hardest hit by the devastating typhoon.

In explaining his decision, Pope Francis said that it has come to his attention that Aquino had skipped a trip to Tacloban during activities commemorating the one-year anniversay of Yolanda. Many believe that Aquino’s decision was politcally motivated, Tacloban being the turf of his political nemesis, the Romualdezes (including former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos).

“I will atone for this sinful act of Aquino by spending more time with the people of Tacloban,” the pontiff said. “If Aquino wants to meet with me, he can meet me in Tacloban,” he added.