Ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines next week, police officers in Manila have been told they will be so busy dealing with crowds that they must wear nappies to answer nature's call.

Congestion is predicted to be so overwhelming when millions of Catholics make their way to the Filipino capital that the traffic officers have been told to remain in their post regardless of the need to relieve themselves.

Almost 2,000 members of the Manileño traffic corps will be issued with the adult-sized nappies, said Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Mr Tolentino also urged priests, nuns and the elderly, along will anyone else planning to visit the capital for the Pope’s open-air service on January 18^th, to also consider wearing nappies, saying that the demand of portable toilets will far exceed the supply.

“If you attend an event that will last for 24 hours, you cannot go around looking for a (portable lavatory),” Mr Tolentino said.

Pope Francis will first visit Sri Lanka from January 13^th to the 15^th, before beginning a four-day visit to the Philippines.