His Holiness Pope Francis departs Malacañan Palace aboard a Pope Mobile after the Welcome Ceremony for the State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the Republic of the Philippines on January 16, 2015. Benhur Arcayan, Malacañang Photo Bureau 

MANILA - Pope Francis once again gave a nod to the faith of Filipino Catholics.

During a speech on Monday, December 16, that the pope delivered to a visiting Filipino community from Spain at the Vatican, the pontiff praised Filipinos for their unwavering faith and for continuing to be a witness for the Church amid a fast-paced society.

"The Filipinos are men of faith, women of faith. Some of you work here in the Vatican and it is fantastic, the faith they have and the witness they give is fantastic," the pope said.

"Continue to bear witness in this society that has become too rich, too competent, too self-sufficient. Thank you for what you do."

The private audience marked the 25th anniversary of the canonical establishment of the personal parish of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Lorenzo Ruiz in the city of Barcelona.

Pope Francis described Saint Lorenzo Ruiz as a "beautiful figure" who shows the "integration of cultures."

The pontiff also drew parallels between the saint and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as they both have Chinese ancestry, as is the case for many Filipinos.

But the pope also noted how the Filipino saint was forced to leave his homeland because of injustice.

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is believed to have been falsely accused of a crime he did not commit.

When he arrived in Japan, it was a time of intense persecution against Christians, and he was soon arrested. Ultimately, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was tortured and martyred for his faith.

"He had to leave his homeland because of injustice, in his case defamation, like many people who even today find themselves forced to emigrate to save their own lives or to seek a better future," the pope said.

"Finally, once he arrived in the land that should have welcomed him, God asked him to bear witness to his faith with the greatest test of love: by offering his own life."

Pope Francis also recalled his 2015 visit to the Philippines amid a storm.

"I cherish two beautiful memories of you, of my visit to your homeland: the seven million people at the Mass in Manila, and then the Mass in Tacloban. With the rain and the wind, I remember we had to rush out because a storm was coming," the pontiff added.

During the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Catholicism in the Philippines, the pope lauded Filipinos for knowing how to "carry the cross and to continue walking" despite "all the pain and devastation."

In 2019, the pope joined Filipinos at the Vatican for the traditional Simbang Gabi. He called them "happy and smiling people" because the "flame of faith continues to burn intensely" in their hearts.