Pope Francis holds mass in Philippines capital for millions

Millions of people flocked to Manila's Rizal Park on Sunday right before an open-air mass that concludes Pope Francis's trip to the Philippines.

The faithful filled up the park grounds and neighbouring roads, which were closed off to traffic a few hours before the event.

Filipino Catholics who wanted to catch their last chance of seeing the pontiff jostled to secure spots despite the rain.

Scores waited for hours, and others even camped overnight so they could attend mass with the Pope.

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Police officers set up concrete barricades and metal fences throughout the park to manage the continuous arrival of worshippers.

The pontiff arrived in his popemobile, waving at crowds whose enthusiasm was not dampened by the rain.

Some waved their Santo Nino (Child Jesus) statues hoping for the pontiff's blessings.

Manila authorities said there were around 4 million worshippers in Sunday's event.

More than five million attended a Mass by Pope John Paul II in 1995. Security perimeters were breached and he had to be taken by helicopter to the Mass site because his car could not get through the sea of people.

Over 80 per cent of the 100-million-plus population of the Philippines is Roman Catholic. The island nation is Asia's only majority Catholic country.

The Vatican said Francis will dedicate the mass in part to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which killed at least 6,300 people, left a million others homeless and displaced four million when it ravaged parts of the country in 2013.

Francis leaves for Rome on Monday morning.