Vatican envoy calls Filipino catholics to spread the gospel at International Eucharistic Congress

Masses of Filipino Catholics joined together and saw the culmination of the week-long International Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines last week. 

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos gathered in Cebu to witness the Sunday mass to end the event that occurs every four years. The special envoy of Pope Francis, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar, gave a message to encourage the Filipino catholics to carry out their mission.

"This nation holds great promise to the Catholic world," Cardinal Bo told the audience.

According to Senior Superintendent Benjamin Santos, police chief of Cebu City in the Philippines, there are several thousand more people who were outside the fence that they set up for the event.

Bo also said that the Philippines as a Catholic nation has stood for what is right in spite of the fact that most countries have destroyed families by enacting laws. These issues include same-sex marriage, divorce and abortion, which are heavily condoned by the Catholic Church in the country.

Furthermore, Cardinal Bo said that the Filipinos can change Christianity, which is considered by some as "the twilight zone", and turn it into an exciting "dawn". 

Pope Francis also recorded a video message which was presented during the mass.

"They have given the world an example of fidelity and deep devotion," the Pope said. He also called for the Filipinos to go forth as missionaries to bring the "message of the Father's tenderness and forgiveness and mercy."

Pope Francis also recalled his visit to the Philippines in January last year and said that in spite of going through calamities and hardships, the people's faith remains unshaken.

The International Eucharistic Congress was attended by 1,200 delegates which consist of 75 countries across the globe.