By Len Armea
MANILA – The Philippines joined the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis, the beloved head of the Roman Catholic Church, who died peacefully on Easter Monday, April 21, at the Vatican. He was 88.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced the pope’s death from Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis had lived.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father,” Cardinal Farrell announced at around 9:45 a.m.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God,” he added.
According to a death certificate released by the Vatican, Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, which caused him to fall into a coma before his death. His remains will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica and will be transferred to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment on April 26.
In a country where more than 80% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, the news triggered an outpouring of grief from millions of Filipinos, who fondly called him “Lolo Kiko.”
Filipinos paid tribute through prayers and Masses, with many sharing messages on social media recalling his enduring message of compassion, humility, and mercy. Pope Francis visited the Philippines in January 2015, meeting typhoon survivors in Tacloban and celebrating Mass at Luneta Park before millions of faithful.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed condolences to the Vatican, describing the day as “profoundly sad.”
“The Philippines joins the Catholic community worldwide in grieving the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis. A man of profound faith and humility, Pope Francis led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten,” he said in a Facebook post on April 21.
“By example, Pope Francis taught us that to be a good Christian is to extend kindness and care to one another. His humility brought many back to the fold of the Church. As we mourn his passing, we honor a life that brought hope and compassion to so many, and inspired us to love one another as Christ loved us,” he added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also joined the Filipino people and Roman Catholics around the world in mourning, highlighting the pope’s “example of compassion and humility.”
“Best known for his encyclical Laudato si: (Praise be to You), Pope Francis was a beloved spiritual leader for tens of millions of Filipinos who follow his writings on how to care for the environment, as well as his advocacy for more protection for the poor and the oppressed,” the DFA said in a statement.
Senate President Francis Escudero called Pope Francis a “true shepherd of Christ’s flock,” emphasizing how he championed the poor and marginalized, bringing “their voices to the forefront of his papacy and inspiring the world with his message of love and acceptance.”
“As we honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis, let us carry forward his vision of a world united in peace and kindness. May his dedication to inclusion and harmony inspire us to nurture our shared humanity. We pray for the eternal repose of his soul,” Escudero said.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, led by its president, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, called on the faithful to unite in prayer and remembrance. He also urged churches nationwide to ring their bells in tribute.
“Let us please ring the bells of our churches and call our people to prayer for the eternal repose of the Holy Father Pope Francis, who passed on just about ten minutes ago,” said David, who is also bishop of Kalookan.
Archbishop of Manila Jose Cardinal Advincula recalled Pope Francis’ visit to Tacloban and called him a “precious gift of God” to the Filipino people.
“We will always remember his visit to our country in 2015 – a moment of grace forever etched in our national memory. Under the rain in Tacloban, standing with the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, Pope Francis showed us what it means to suffer with others and find hope in the midst of pain,” Advincula said.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis became the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church in March 2013, making history as the first Jesuit pope and the first from Latin America.
In his 12-year pontificate, he became known for championing the poor, advocating for climate action through his landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, promoting interfaith dialogue, and steering the Church toward a more inclusive and compassionate path, addressing issues such as migration, social inequality, and pastoral care for marginalized communities.
(Photos courtesy of Benhur Arcayan, Rey Banquet/Malacanang Photo Bureau/NIB)
