The People’s Pope and the Filipino soul

Filipinos are deeply mourning the death of Pope Francis, More than a spiritual leader, he was a shepherd who embraced the margins, a reformer who challenged convention, and a father figure who taught the world the power of Mercy and Compassion—the very theme of his apostolic visit to the Philippines in January 2015.

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His visit to the Philippines evoked reverence and affection; it served as an occasion for national reflection, renewal, and collective grace. Pope Francis comforted a nation still reeling from the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). In the rain-soaked Mass in Tacloban, he stood in silent solidarity with survivors, his words and tears blending with those of the people.

We were reminded that in March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic swept the world, he stood alone in a tent on St. Peter’s square and delivered a reassuring message. As cited in St. Matthew’s gospel, Jesus asked his disciples, "Why are you so afraid?" after they woke him up in the middle of a storm, fearing they were going to drown. He then rebuked the wind and waves, and they became calm.