Pope Francis has received a rock star's welcome in the Philippines. Police officers formed human chains in front of barricades to hold back the tens of thousands of wildly cheering Filipinos who packed boulevards for hours just for a glimpse of the Popemobile.

The sighting of the pontiff's vehicle sent crowds cheering wildly, and mobile phone and tablet cameras snapping. The excitement was too much for many to bear – several people fainted before he even arrived.

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People hold up their phones and cameras to take a photo of Pope Francis in Manila Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images
Pope Francis Philippines
Policemen carry a nun who became dizzy while waiting for Pope Francis outside Manila Cathedral Erik de Castro/Reuters
Pope Francis Philippines
Police carry a woman who fainted while waiting Pope Francis to arrive at Manila Cathedral Erik de Castro/Reuters
Pope Francis Philippines
The Catholic faithful try to touch the Pontiff as he arrives for a meeting with families in Manila Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
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Pope Francis blesses a sick boy as he arrives for a meeting with families in Manila Giuseppe Cacace/AFP
Pope Francis Philippines
A young boy holds a Pope Francis doll outside the presidential Malacanang Palace in Manila Giuseppe Cacace/AFP

A traditional scene came with a 21st-century touch.

As Francis and his procession walked up the aisle of the Manila cathedral between a sea of bishops, priests and nuns in religious vestments, many of them held up smart phones and tablets to record the moment.

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Priests take pictures of Pope Francis as he arrives to lead a mass for local Catholic leaders in Manila Giuseppe Cacace/AFP
Pope Francis Philippines
A priest takes a picture of Pope Francis as he leads a mass at Manila Cathedral Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
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Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle shows Pope Francis how to give the popular hand sign for 'I love you' at a meeting for families in Manila. However, some people are convinced this is the satanic 'devil's horns' symbol Cheryl Ravelo/Reuters

Some 300 children at a Manila centre for street kids got the surprise of their lives on Friday (16 January) when Pope Francis showed up at their door.

The pontiff snuck in a visit to the Anak-Tnk Foundation in Manila's Intramuros district after celebrating Mass at the nearby Manila Cathedral.

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Pope Francis meets street children at Aank-Tnk foundation in Manila Osservatore Romano/Reuters

On Saturday the Pope will travel to the central Philippines to comfort survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, which left more than 7,300 dead and missing.

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