Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to PH 'a moment of grace': Manila archbishop | ABS-CBN
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Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to PH 'a moment of grace': Manila archbishop
Pope Francis kisses a crying child on January 17, 2015. PCOO-Malacanang
Pope Francis kisses a crying child on January 17, 2015. PCOO-Malacanang 10/20
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Pope Francis kisses acrying child on January 17, 2015. PCOO-Malacanan
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Pope Francis kisses acrying child on January 17, 2015. PCOO-Malacanan
MANILA — The late Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines in 2015 can be considered a “moment of grace forever etched in our national memory”, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said Tuesday.
MANILA — The late Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines in 2015 can be considered a “moment of grace forever etched in our national memory”, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said Tuesday.
Pope Francis visited the Philippines only once, when he led a mass for survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda.
Pope Francis visited the Philippines only once, when he led a mass for survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda.
He came just over a year after the most powerful storm in Philippine history devastated fishing and farming towns and left more than 6,000 people dead in November 2014.
He came just over a year after the most powerful storm in Philippine history devastated fishing and farming towns and left more than 6,000 people dead in November 2014.
Hundreds of thousands of people turned out for his arrival, chanting "long live the pope" as he disembarked only to be pelted with rains and heavy winds.
Hundreds of thousands of people turned out for his arrival, chanting "long live the pope" as he disembarked only to be pelted with rains and heavy winds.
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“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 at the requiem mass for the 88-year-old pontiff at the Manila Cathedral.
“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 at the requiem mass for the 88-year-old pontiff at the Manila Cathedral.
“In Luneta, as he celebrated the Holy Eucharist with millions, he embraced our joy, our faith, and our longing for a Church that walks with its people. His presence, prayers, and preaching have confirmed us in faith, enlivened our hope, and animated us to charity. And indeed, we fondly recall his special love for Filipinos all over the world,” he added.
“In Luneta, as he celebrated the Holy Eucharist with millions, he embraced our joy, our faith, and our longing for a Church that walks with its people. His presence, prayers, and preaching have confirmed us in faith, enlivened our hope, and animated us to charity. And indeed, we fondly recall his special love for Filipinos all over the world,” he added.
He said Pope Francis was a “true father”, especially to servants of the church in the Philippines where he appointed three of the 10 Filipino cardinals in Church history and many bishops who shared his desire for service, simplicity and dialogue.
He said Pope Francis was a “true father”, especially to servants of the church in the Philippines where he appointed three of the 10 Filipino cardinals in Church history and many bishops who shared his desire for service, simplicity and dialogue.
“From the very beginning of his Petrine ministry, the Holy Father has reminded us that the Church must be close to the poor, merciful to all, and a welcoming home for the forgotten. Pope Francis reminds us time and again, 'To meet the living God we must tenderly kiss the wounds of Jesus in our hungry people, in the sick and in imprisoned brothers and sisters…Like the apostle Thomas, our life will only be changed when we touch Christ’s wounds present in the poor, the sick, and the needy. The path to our encounter with Jesus is his wounds. There is no other,'” he said.
“From the very beginning of his Petrine ministry, the Holy Father has reminded us that the Church must be close to the poor, merciful to all, and a welcoming home for the forgotten. Pope Francis reminds us time and again, 'To meet the living God we must tenderly kiss the wounds of Jesus in our hungry people, in the sick and in imprisoned brothers and sisters…Like the apostle Thomas, our life will only be changed when we touch Christ’s wounds present in the poor, the sick, and the needy. The path to our encounter with Jesus is his wounds. There is no other,'” he said.
Also present in the mass was Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown who expressed gratitude to the Filipino people for expressing their love for the pontiff through prayer especially during his most difficult season in life.
Also present in the mass was Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown who expressed gratitude to the Filipino people for expressing their love for the pontiff through prayer especially during his most difficult season in life.
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“In the last two months, I’ve been asking you to pray for him and you’ve responded with great generosity and great love for your Lolo Kiko,” said Brown.
“In the last two months, I’ve been asking you to pray for him and you’ve responded with great generosity and great love for your Lolo Kiko,” said Brown.
“He was able to go back to Vatican City and then even just two days ago, on Easter Sunday, was able to be present with the people in St. Peter’s Square. I think that was the effect of all the prayers all over the world for the holy father, Pope Francis. Especially here in the Philippines, by you, his beloved Filipino people.”
“He was able to go back to Vatican City and then even just two days ago, on Easter Sunday, was able to be present with the people in St. Peter’s Square. I think that was the effect of all the prayers all over the world for the holy father, Pope Francis. Especially here in the Philippines, by you, his beloved Filipino people.”
Brown calls on Filipinos to continue praying for the eternal repose of Pope Francis.
Brown calls on Filipinos to continue praying for the eternal repose of Pope Francis.
DEEPLY IMPACTED
Some who attended mass could not hold back the tears as they recalled how Pope Francis affected their lives despite not being able to meet the pontiff in person.
Some who attended mass could not hold back the tears as they recalled how Pope Francis affected their lives despite not being able to meet the pontiff in person.
Leni, who requested her full name to remain anonymous, wept silently while lighting a candle for the pope at Manila Cathedral’s Chapel of Christ the King.
Leni, who requested her full name to remain anonymous, wept silently while lighting a candle for the pope at Manila Cathedral’s Chapel of Christ the King.
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“Nagpapasalamat ako sa kaniya sa pagbahagi niya ng buhay ng Panginoon. Sa pamamagitan niya inilapit niya lalo ang Panginoon sa tao. Kaya ako naiiyak kasi thankful talaga ako kasi parang sinabi niyang walang pinipili ang Diyos,” she said.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa kaniya sa pagbahagi niya ng buhay ng Panginoon. Sa pamamagitan niya inilapit niya lalo ang Panginoon sa tao. Kaya ako naiiyak kasi thankful talaga ako kasi parang sinabi niyang walang pinipili ang Diyos,” she said.
(I am thankful to him for sharing the life of Christ. He brought it closer to the people I am crying because I am thankful because it’s like him saying that God does not favor anyone over another.)
(I am thankful to him for sharing the life of Christ. He brought it closer to the people I am crying because I am thankful because it’s like him saying that God does not favor anyone over another.)
She added that she was thankful for his transformative and inclusive thinking.
She added that she was thankful for his transformative and inclusive thinking.
“Sabi niya believers and non-believers patawarin mo kasi lahat naman tayo sinners eh.”
“Sabi niya believers and non-believers patawarin mo kasi lahat naman tayo sinners eh.”
(He said both believers and non-believers must be forgiven by others because we are all sinners.)
(He said both believers and non-believers must be forgiven by others because we are all sinners.)
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Corazon Rodriguez, a senior citizen who also lit a candle for the pope, said that while she was sad about his passing, she had no other choice but to also feel happy because “he is now in the arms of the Lord.”
Corazon Rodriguez, a senior citizen who also lit a candle for the pope, said that while she was sad about his passing, she had no other choice but to also feel happy because “he is now in the arms of the Lord.”
She said one of her fondest memories of Pope Francis was when he blessed and carried her goddaughter’s son.
She said one of her fondest memories of Pope Francis was when he blessed and carried her goddaughter’s son.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old church servant Alberto Buencochillo said that despite not being able to see Pope Francis in 2015, he still felt great affinity and fondness for the pontiff.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old church servant Alberto Buencochillo said that despite not being able to see Pope Francis in 2015, he still felt great affinity and fondness for the pontiff.
“A person doesn’t have to be physically present. Faith alone is enough. I’d like to thank him for teaching us what the character of Jesus is like, humility and being more compassionate to the poor,” he said.
“A person doesn’t have to be physically present. Faith alone is enough. I’d like to thank him for teaching us what the character of Jesus is like, humility and being more compassionate to the poor,” he said.
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Pope Francis
Cardinal Jose Advincula
Manila Cathedral
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown
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