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Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
In a bastion of Catholicism, Filipinos mourn Pope Francis and wonder who comes next
At Quiapo church in central Manila, the pews are filled with worshippers. Latecomers gather near the entrance, clutching fans to ease the stifling heat. A prayer is read out in memory of Pope Francis, known affectionately as Lolo Kiko, or Grandpa Francis, whose image stands framed on the altar. It's one of many tributes and services held across the Philippines over recent days, as one of the world's biggest Catholic populations marks the pope's death. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a period of national mourning, lasting until the pope's burial on Saturday. Buildings – from universities to a shopping mall – have held light displays in the papal colours of yellow and white, and in violet, which is often symbolic of penance. At a major thoroughfare in Manila, a billboard declares: 'Pope Francis, thank you very much! We love you.' Quiapo, like many other churches across the country, rang out its bells to mark his death on Easter Monday. 'Pope Francis is the pope we grew up knowing,' says Mario Amor, 35, a member of Quiapo's congregation. 'For me, he is a very kind pope.' Related: Pope Francis – a life in pictures On the bustling boulevard outside the church, stalls are stacked with rosary beads, T-shirts emblazoned with Jesus' image, and figurines of Catholic saints. Veronica Reponte, who has had a stall outside the church for two decades, vividly remembers when the pope visited the Philippines in 2015. She took her son, then aged eight, along with her to watch the procession at Manila's Rizal park. 'I didn't have a raincoat and my umbrella couldn't withstand the rain,' she recalls. Miserable weather didn't stop the public from turning out. A record crowd of up to 7 million watched his procession. There had been a frenzy of excitement in the run-up to his arrival. Sales of anything pope-related on Reponte's stall soared – calendars, posters and even handkerchiefs decorated with Francis's face. 'I'd wished I'd be able to see him again,' she says. In the Philippines, where 80% of the population is Catholic, popes are always revered. Francis, however, was especially well loved. Many fondly remember his 2015 visit, which came just over a year after the country had experienced the devastating Typhoon Haiyan that killed more than 6,000 people. Francis was reportedly advised to postpone his trip to Tacloban, the area worst affected, because of the risk of a tropical storm, but he was determined to go ahead. In a yellow poncho, battered by wind and rain, he stood before thousands of typhoon survivors, telling them: 'I am here to be with you.' Men and women wept as he spoke. Francis was a pastor who 'understood what suffering meant for Filipinos', and who visited 'at such an important period in our history', says Jayeel Cornelio, a sociologist who specialises in the role of Catholicism in contemporary Philippines. He also opened up the church to groups who had been otherwise excluded, including the LGBTQ+ community. 'A lot of Filipinos [have described] … on social media how this was a man, in spite of representing a conservative institution, who gave hope, about how faith might be evolving,' Cornelio says. Catholicism, brought to the Philippines by Spanish colonisers in the 16th century, is deeply interwoven with the country's culture and has shaped its laws. Abortion is banned, and adultery and 'concubinage' carry jail sentences of at least six months. It is also the only place in the world, other than the Vatican, that does not have a divorce law – though there are efforts to change this – and public opinion has become far more sympathetic to divorce over recent years, reflecting the changing role or understanding of Catholicism in the country. The church was once so politically influential that it was at the forefront of movements to oust two presidents, including the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Its power has waned, however. The presidency of former leader Rodrigo Duterte, who presided over a deadly 'war on drugs' that activists believe killed as many as 30,000 people, was a particularly difficult time. Priests were conflicted: some risked retaliation by criticising the killings, others did not. Related: 'I'm a Muslim and he was my inspiration' – world pays tribute to Pope Francis Duterte remained highly popular throughout his presidency, despite international condemnation. Francis worked 'under the radar' to offer support to those who spoke out, says Cornelio. Leila de Lima, a former senator and human rights activist who was a fierce critic of Duterte, wrote in a statement this week: 'During one of the darkest times in my life, I received a rosary from Pope Francis. It came quietly, without fanfare, but its meaning was profound. In that moment, I felt seen. I felt remembered.' Other rights groups also paid tribute. The Filipino LGBTQ+ group Bahaghari noted his 'progressive yet controversial stance'. The group was, it says, hopeful that Francis's papacy 'becomes the spark' for a more inclusive church. Now Filipinos are bracing for the next pope, wondering whether he will continue Francis's inclusive legacy or revert back to a more conservative approach. The next pope will be selected by the College of Cardinals, many of whom were appointed by Francis and reflect a more diverse church. Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, is among those in the running. He has a similarly progressive outlook, having suggested that the Catholic church's stance on gay and divorced couples is too harsh. He has, however, opposed abortion rights in the Philippines. If chosen, Tagle would be the first pontiff from Asia, the region with the fastest-growing Catholic population. 'The Italians might still want to be in power, but the signs of the times have changed,' Cornelio says. If he were appointed, the country would be overjoyed, he says. 'The Philippines is all about national pride, from Miss Universe to boxing.' But back at Quiapo church, Mario Amor thinks there are forces greater than the conclave at play in the selection of the new pope. 'I'm OK whoever will replace him,' he says. 'The lord will appoint whoever is deserving.'
Int'l Business Times
26-04-2025
- General
- Int'l Business Times
'Shared Loss': Filipino Catholics Bid Pope Francis Farewell
Filipino faithful prayed the rosary inside a Manila church on Saturday as the funeral of Pope Francis played overhead on large screens. Young people crowded into the front rows of the Sacred Heart Parish Shrine, where a trio of large fans kept parishioners cool as four days of national mourning in Asia's Catholic bastion neared an end. Giving people a place to share their pain and loss was an "act of gratitude," parish priest Father Randy Flores told AFP. "Pope Francis is special for Filipinos because he came here and we saw his impact on the faithful, especially his message of peace and caring for the vulnerable and the poor," Flores said. "Filipinos really love him." Known to many Filipinos as "Lolo Kiko", or "grandfather Francis", the pope visited in 2015, when he ministered to the survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest storm in the country's history. Within hours of the announcement of his death this week, bells were rung and requiem masses were held at churches across the country of more than 90 million Catholics. On Saturday, as Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered his homily in Rome, Joylene Sto. Domingo, 38, recounted how she had strained to catch a glimpse of the pontiff as he passed by on the streets of the capital. You could feel his kindness even from afar, the church youth advisor said. "As the faithful, our faith was reenergised and doubled" by his visit, she said. "He really cared for our youth," she added. "That's why he is our pope." Nedji Lee, a grade 9 student and parish volunteer, told AFP his own fondest memory of Pope Francis had come courtesy of a TikTok video. "He was asked if he could grant only one miracle (what would it be), and he answered that he wanted to heal all the sick children," the 16-year-old remembered. "It made me want to be a better person, a better Catholic." The funeral in Rome was still ongoing when the Manila service concluded. Some stayed and watched silently as the pageantry unfolded on the screens. The young people gathered around a framed photo of the pontiff to snap a group picture, then rushed off for promised snacks. Sister Imaniar Rusani, an Indonesian nun assigned to the Philippines, told AFP she had come to the service because it felt right to be with fellow believers for the funeral. "It's good to be with the people," she said, adding she was unbothered by the service being conducted mostly in Filipino, a language she does not speak. "What we have here is shared loss and faith, there's no language for that." Pope Francis was known to many Filipinos as 'Lolo Kiko' AFP
Irish Times
24-04-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Fiipinos mourn Francis and brace themselves for successor
At Quiapo church in central Manila, the pews are filled with worshippers. Latecomers gather near the entrance, clutching fans to ease the stifling heat. A prayer is read out in memory of Pope Francis , known affectionately as Lolo Kiko, or Grandpa Francis, whose image stands framed on the alter. It's one of many tributes and services held across the Philippines over recent days, as one of the world's biggest Catholic populations marks the pope's death. President Ferdinand Marcos jnr declared a period of national mourning, lasting until the pope's burial on Saturday. Buildings – from universities to a shopping mall – have held light displays in the papal colours of yellow and white, and in violet, which is often symbolic of penance. At a major thoroughfare in Manila, a billboard declares: 'Pope Francis, thank you very much! We love you.' Quiapo, like many other churches across the country, rang out its bells to mark his death on Easter Monday. 'Pope Francis is the pope we grew up knowing,' says Mario Amor (35), a member of Quiapo's congregation. 'For me, he is a very kind pope.' [ Spain's left celebrates rapport with Pope Francis Opens in new window ] On the bustling boulevard outside the church, stalls are stacked with rosary beads, T-shirts emblazoned with Jesus' image, and figurines of Catholic saints. Veronica Reponte, who has had a stall outside the church for two decades, vividly remembers when the pope visited the Philippines in 2015. She took her son, then aged eight, along with her to watch the procession at Manila's Rizal park. 'I didn't have a raincoat and my umbrella couldn't withstand the rain,' she recalls. Miserable weather didn't stop the public from turning out. A record crowd of up to seven million watched his procession. There had been a frenzy of excitement in the run-up to his arrival. Sales of anything pope-related on Reponte's stall soared – calendars, posters and even handkerchiefs decorated with Francis's face. 'I'd wished I'd be able to see him again,' she says. In the Philippines, where 80 per cent of the population is Catholic, popes are always revered. Francis, however, was especially well loved. Many fondly remember his 2015 visit, which came just over a year after the country had experienced the devastating Typhoon Haiyan that killed more than 6,000 people. Pope Francis in Tacloban in January 2015. Photograph: Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images (JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images) Francis was reportedly advised to postpone his trip to Tacloban, the area worst affected, because of the risk of a tropical storm, but he was determined to go ahead. In a yellow poncho, battered by wind and rain, he stood before thousands of typhoon survivors, telling them: 'I am here to be with you.' Men and women wept as he spoke. Francis was a pastor who 'understood what suffering meant for Filipinos', and who visited 'at such an important period in our history', says Jayeel Cornelio, a sociologist who specialises in the role of Catholicism in contemporary Philippines. He also opened up the church to groups who had been otherwise excluded, including the LGBTQ+ community. 'A lot of Filipinos [have described] ... on social media how this was a man, in spite of representing a conservative institution, who gave hope, about how faith might be evolving,' Cornelio says. Catholicism, brought to the Philippines by Spanish colonisers in the 16th century, is deeply interwoven with the country's culture and has shaped its laws. Abortion is banned, and adultery and 'concubinage' carry jail sentences of at least six months. It is also the only place in the world, other than the Vatican, that does not have a divorce law – though there are efforts to change this – and public opinion has become far more sympathetic to divorce over recent years, reflecting the changing role or understanding of Catholicism in the country. The church was once so politically influential that it was at the forefront of movements to oust two presidents, including the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos snr. Its power has waned, however. The presidency of former leader Rodrigo Duterte, who presided over a deadly 'war on drugs' that activists believe killed as many as 30,000 people, was a particularly difficult time. Priests were conflicted: some risked retaliation by criticising the killings, others did not. Duterte remained highly popular throughout his presidency, despite international condemnation. Francis worked 'under the radar' to offer support to those who spoke out, says Cornelio. Parishioners write on a message board for the late Pope Francis outside the St Peter Parish church in Quezon City. Photograph: Rolex Dela Pena/EPA (Rolex Dela Pena/EPA-EFE) Leila de Lima, a former senator and human rights activist who was a fierce critic of Duterte, wrote in a statement this week: 'During one of the darkest times in my life, I received a rosary from Pope Francis. It came quietly, without fanfare, but its meaning was profound. In that moment, I felt seen. I felt remembered.' Other rights groups also paid tribute. The Filipino LGBTQ+ group Bahaghari noted his 'progressive yet controversial stance'. The group was, it says, hopeful that Francis's papacy 'becomes the spark' for a more inclusive church. Now Filipinos are bracing for the next pope, wondering whether he will continue Francis's inclusive legacy or revert to a more conservative approach. The next pope will be selected by the College of Cardinals, many of whom were appointed by Francis and reflect a more diverse church. Luis Antonio Tagle (67), from the Philippines, is among those in the running. He has a similarly progressive outlook, having suggested that the Catholic Church 's stance on gay and divorced couples is too harsh. He has, however, opposed abortion rights in the Philippines. If chosen, Tagle would be the first pontiff from Asia, the region with the fastest-growing Catholic population. 'The Italians might still want to be in power, but the signs of the times have changed,' Cornelio says. If he were appointed, the country would be overjoyed, he says. 'The Philippines is all about national pride, from Miss Universe to boxing.' [ ICC catches up on Philippines ex-president Rodrigo Duterte Opens in new window ] But back at Quiapo church, Mario Amor thinks there are forces greater than the conclave at play in the selection of the new pope. 'I'm okay whoever will replace him,' he says. 'The lord will appoint whoever is deserving.' – Guardian
The Guardian
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
In a bastion of Catholicism, Filipinos mourn Pope Francis and wonder who comes next
At Quiapo church in central Manila, the pews are filled with worshippers. Latecomers gather near the entrance, clutching fans to ease the stifling heat. A prayer is read out in memory of Pope Francis, known affectionately as Lolo Kiko, or Grandpa Francis, whose image stands framed on the alter. It's one of many tributes and services held across the Philippines over recent days, as one of the world's biggest Catholic populations marks the pope's death. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a period of national mourning, lasting until the pope's burial on Saturday. Buildings – from universities to a shopping mall – have held light displays in the papal colours of yellow and white, and in violet, which is often symbolic of penance. At a major thoroughfare in Manila, a billboard declares: 'Pope Francis, thank you very much! We love you.' Quiapo, like many other churches across the country, rang out its bells to mark his death on Easter Monday. 'Pope Francis is the pope we grew up knowing,' said Mario Amor, 35, a member of Quiapo's congregation. 'For me, he is a very kind pope.' On the bustling boulevard outside the church, stalls are stacked with rosary beads, T-shirts emblazoned with Jesus' image, and figurines of Catholic saints. Veronica Reponte, who has had a stall outside the church for two decades, vividly remembers when the pope visited the Philippines in 2015. She took her son, then aged eight, along with her to watch the procession at Manila's Rizal park. 'I didn't have a raincoat and my umbrella couldn't withstand the rain,' she recalls. Miserable weather didn't stop the public from turning out. A record crowd of up to 7 million watched his procession. There had been a frenzy of excitement in the run-up to his arrival. Sales of anything pope-related on Reponte's stall soared – calendars, posters and even handkerchiefs decorated with Francis's face. 'I'd wished I'd be able to see him again,' she said. In the Philippines, where 80% of the population is Catholic, popes are always revered. Francis, however, was especially well loved. Many fondly remember his 2015 visit, which came just over a year after the country had experienced the devastating Typhoon Haiyan that killed more than 6,000 people. Francis was reportedly advised to postpone his trip to Tacloban, the area worst affected, because of the risk of a tropical storm, but he was determined to go ahead. In a yellow poncho, battered by wind and rain, he stood before thousands of typhoon survivors, telling them: 'I am here to be with you.' Men and women wept as he spoke. Francis was a pastor who 'understood what suffering meant for Filipinos', and who visited 'at such an important period in our history', said Jayeel Cornelio, a sociologist who specialises in the role of Catholicism in contemporary Philippines. He also opened up the church to groups who had been otherwise excluded, including the LGBTQ+ community. 'A lot of Filipinos [have described] … on social media how this was a man, in spite of representing a conservative institution, who gave hope, about how faith might be evolving,' Cornelio said. Catholicism, brought to the Philippines by Spanish colonisers in the 16th century, is deeply interwoven with the country's culture and has shaped its laws. Abortion is banned, and adultery and 'concubinage' carry jail sentences of at least six months. It is also the only place in the world, other than the Vatican, that does not have a divorce law – though there are efforts to change this – and public opinion has become far more sympathetic to divorce over recent years, reflecting the changing role or understanding of Catholicism in the country. The church was once so politically influential that it was at the forefront of movements to oust two presidents, including the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Its power has waned, however. The presidency of former leader Rodrigo Duterte, who presided over a deadly 'war on drugs' that activists believe killed as many as 30,000 people, was a particularly difficult time. Priests were conflicted: some risked retaliation by criticising the killings, others did not. Duterte remained highly popular throughout his presidency, despite international condemnation. Francis worked 'under the radar' to offer support to those who spoke out, said Cornelio. Leila de Lima, a former senator and human rights activist who was a fierce critic of Duterte, wrote in a statement this week: 'During one of the darkest times in my life, I received a rosary from Pope Francis. It came quietly, without fanfare, but its meaning was profound. In that moment, I felt seen. I felt remembered.' Other rights groups also paid tribute. The Filipino LGBTQ+ group Bahaghari noted his 'progressive yet controversial stance'. The group was, it said, hopeful that Francis's papacy 'becomes the spark' for a more inclusive church. Now Filipinos are bracing for the next pope, wondering whether he will continue Francis's inclusive legacy or revert back to a more conservative approach. The next pope will be selected by the College of Cardinals, many of whom were appointed by Francis and reflect a more diverse church. Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, is among those in the running. He has a similarly progressive outlook, having suggested that the Catholic church's stance on gay and divorced couples is too harsh. He has, however, opposed abortion rights in the Philippines. If chosen, Tagle would be the first pontiff from Asia, the region with the fastest-growing Catholic population. 'The Italians might still want to be in power, but the signs of the times have changed,' Cornelio said. If he were appointed, the country would be overjoyed, he said. 'The Philippines is all about national pride, from Miss Universe to boxing.' But back at Quiapo church, Mario Amor thinks there are forces greater than the conclave at play in the selection of the new pope. 'I'm OK whoever will replace him,' he said. 'The lord will appoint whoever is deserving.'
Dubai Eye
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
'A true father to us': Filipinos mourn Pope Francis
Hundreds of Filipinos gathered at a solemn Mass held for Pope Francis on Tuesday, following his passing that has stirred deep sorrow among Catholics around the world, many of whom saw him as a humble and compassionate leader. In one of the world's largest Catholic strongholds, the grief was palpable as worshippers filled churches to honour the pontiff, known affectionately in the Philippines as "Lolo Kiko", or Grandpa Kiko. One of the chapels inside the Manila Cathedral displayed a framed photo of the Argentine pope surrounded by flowers and candles, as prayers for his eternal repose and solemn hymns sung by the choir echoed through the church. "Lolo Kiko was a true father to us," said Cardinal Jose Advincula, the archbishop of Manila, during the morning Mass he led at the cathedral. Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican said, ending an often turbulent reign in which he sought to overhaul an ancient and divided institution. The Philippines, home to more than 80 million Catholics, has long had a special connection with Francis, who visited the country in 2015, drawing a record crowd of up to seven million people at a historic Mass in the capital. In his homily, the pope urged Filipinos to shun "social structures which perpetuate poverty, ignorance and corruption". Francis' journey included a visit to Tacloban, where he met with survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest storm in Philippine history. POWERFUL FORCE Cardinal Advincula described the 2015 visit of Francis as "a moment of grace forever etched in our memory". Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, a Catholic, described Francis as the "best pope in my lifetime" as he expressed deep sorrow over his passing. The Catholic Church in the Philippines has been a powerful force in society, helping to oust two leaders, most notably the father and namesake of the current president, and speaking out against injustices and human rights abuses, including a spree of killings in former President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial "war on drugs". As the Church prepares for a new conclave, attention has turned to what could be a historic shift - one the possible candidates to succeed Pope Francis is Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Tagle, 67 is often called the "Asian Francis" because of his similar commitment to social justice and if elected he would be the first pontiff from Asia, where only the Philippines and East Timor have majority Catholic populations. On paper, Tagle, who generally prefers to be called by his nickname "Chito", seems to have all the boxes ticked to qualify him to be a pope. He has had decades of pastoral experience since his ordination to the priesthood in 1982. He then gained administrative experience, first as bishop of Imus and then as archbishop of Manila.
