Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Pope Francis, a humble shepherd
The Freeman
|April 25, 2025
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:5,8) I have had the privilege of meeting two popes so far. The first was Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City in 2012, during the canonization of our very own Cebuano saint, San Pedro Calungsod. The second was Pope Francis at the Tacloban City Airport, during the Mass he celebrated for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda in 2015.
Both popes are models of humility. In both encounters, I felt a profound sense of awe from their presence. Imagine Pope Benedict XVI, despite holding the highest position in the Roman Catholic Church, humbly choosing to resign and give way for another leader to guide over 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide. He was succeeded by another humble man, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who chose the name Francis as pope.
This story is from the April 25, 2025 edition of The Freeman.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Freeman
The Freeman
How does a Cebuano family band like 'Bipolar' find its groove?
What started as a one-off band formed by a husband to celebrate his wife's birthday four years ago has evolved into a group releasing its own original song.
3 mins
April 27, 2026
The Freeman
City residents urged: Be cautious when flying kites
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has urged residents to fly kites responsibly after a rising number of accidents in several barangays and along the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) turned a cherished summer pastime into a growing public safety concern.
1 mins
April 27, 2026
The Freeman
CHED grants financial aid to MCC students
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through its Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFast), has approved the inclusion of Mandaue City College (MCC) in the Free Higher Education (FHE) program, with billing set to begin in the second semester of School Year 2026-2027.
1 mins
April 27, 2026
The Freeman
CHR probes deaths of Toboso 19
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it has launched an investigation into the violent armed encounter in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental that left at least 19 suspected members of New People's Army (NPA) dead.
1 mins
April 27, 2026
The Freeman
Human waste sparks concern
Moments later, the employee allegedly poured two large buckets of liquid onto the roadside, which Estrera later identified by its strong odor as urine.
2 mins
April 27, 2026
The Freeman
CEPCA president Engr. Jerry Maratas scores a hole-in-one
Cebuano sportsman Engr.
1 min
April 27, 2026
The Freeman
Pickleball a sport for all
BUILDING COMMUNITY ON THE COURTS
3 mins
April 27, 2026
The Freeman
Maritime Expo highlights innovation amid fuel crisis
Government maritime forces and industry stakeholders converged at the Cebu Maritime Expo and Conference (CME) 2026 from April 22 to 24 to foster collaboration, innovation, and job generation amid mounting challenges in the sector, particularly rising fuel costs.
2 mins
April 27, 2026
The Freeman
Heat-Related Afflictions
With the average daily heat index rising, heat-related afflictions are more and more commonplace.
2 mins
April 27, 2026
The Freeman
TVET strengthens skills training to create more jobs
A more accessible training-to-jobs program is what the 3rd Visayas Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference is pressing for, drawing more than 200 technical-vocational leaders and stakeholders from across the Visayas.
2 mins
April 27, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size