President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, joined the global Catholic community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, honoring a life defined by love, humility, faith, and a profound commitment to serving the poor.
“Ibang klase si Pope Francis. That’s really sad. I love this Pope. The best Pope in my lifetime as far as I’m concerned,” President Marcos said on the sidelines of a meeting.
In a separate statement, Marcos emphasized that the Holy Father taught the faithful that true Christianity is shown through kindness and compassion. He added that Pope Francis’ humility drew many back to the fold of the Church.
"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," Marcos said in a social media post.
"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," he added.
Calling it a profoundly sad day, President Marcos urged Filipinos to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis—a legacy filled with compassion, hope, and an enduring message of love modeled after Christ.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, formally announced the Holy Father's passing at 9:45 a.m. from Casa Santa Marta.
Prior to his passing, the Pope had been hospitalized at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic after several days of illness caused by bronchitis.
After undergoing a series of medical tests, Pope Francis’ condition was found to be complex, with doctors revealing that he had developed bilateral pneumonia.
Just a day before his passing, he stood before the faithful at Saint Peter’s Square during Easter Sunday celebrations.
In 2015, Pope Francis, known to Filipinos as Lolo Kiko, made a historic pastoral visit to the Philippines, during which he presided over Mass at the Manila Cathedral and the University of Santo Tomas.
