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Grief rippled across the world when Pope Francis passed away on April 21, the day after Easter Sunday.
Dubbed the People's Pope, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, chose to live a simple life, declining a high salary and living in a guest house. He also called on the public to live humble lives to serve others and create a community.
But more than that, he lived for the poor and had progressive views on societal issues like LGBTQIA+ marriages, interfaith dialogues, and abuse in the church.
This Sunday, "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" aired a special tribute to Pope Francis. Jessica Soho traveled to Vatican City to document the funeral of the widely beloved pontiff.
Pope Francis visited the Philippines in January 2015, where millions of devoted Catholics waited for his arrival and attended his events.
Among those who had a close encounter with Pope Francis was the family of Remy Dizon, who met the pope and represented the Church of the Poor.
"Sobrang overwhelmed. Hindi makapaniwala na nandu'n kami. At in front of us ay kasama namin si Pope," Remy said on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho."
["I'm so overwhelmed. I couldn't believe we were there— and right in front of us was the Pope."]
Remy said he spoke to the Pope and asked him to pray for his dad.
"Sabi naman niya, 'What's his name?' Sabi ko, 'Sixto Dizon.' 'Okay, I will pray for him.' Naiintindihan niya 'ko, nakakatuwa," Remy added.
["He asked, 'What's his name?' I said, 'Sixto Dizon.' 'Okay, I will pray for him.' He understood me, it was touching."]
His mother, Kika, gave Pope Francis a skull cap.
"Si Nanay ko 'yung nag-abot kay Pope. Tapos sinuot niya. Medyo maluwag. Tapos binalik niya kay Nanay 'yung skull cap," he said.
["My mother was the one who handed the skull cap to the Pope. He wore it, but it was a bit loose, so he returned it to her."]
Remy said the pope returned it so that they would always remember and pray for him. It is now kept in their church.
"Memorabilia na namin siya dito sa Holy Cross Parish. Dito na namin siya pinuwesto," Remy said.
["It's now our memorabilia here at Holy Cross Parish. We've placed it here."]
They also received a rosary from Pope Francis. This will be put in Kika's grave, who passed away in March.
"'Yun 'yung tanging alaala na para mas malapit siya sa Diyos. Para lagi pa rin niyang kasama si Pope Francis," Remy said.
["That's the only memory, so she' closer to God— and she'll always remain connected to Pope Francis."]
Remy and his family were chosen to meet Pope Francis because Kika allowed seminarians in their area to live in their home.
One of them was Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a close friend of Pope Francis and a strong contender to become the next pope. The family have also displayed memorabilia with Cardinal Tagle in their home.
Encounter with the Youth
At the Encounter with the Youth event at the University of Santo Tomas, Pope Francis met with former street children who live at the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation.
June and Glyzelle asked the pope about why bad things like drugs and prostitution happen to young kids who do no wrong, and why there are only a few people who help them.
The Pope answered that it is important to have compassion.
"Real love is opening yourself to the love that wants to come to you which causes surprise in us. And we say that God is a God of surprises because He always loved us first," he said.
June is now 23 years old and in his second year of college, studying to become a teacher, and living a life completely different from when he met Pope Francis.
June ran away from home at nine years old due to personal problems. He lived with his stepmother while his father was in jail, and had no contact with his real mother. After several days, his five-year-old brother followed him.
He and his brother lived in the streets for a year. They begged for money and sold junk until they were brought to the foundation.
June was randomly chosen to meet and speak to Pope Francis. Upon seeing him, June was nervous but felt that he became blessed that day.
They shared a hug with Pope Francis and were given rosaries that he still has today.
Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest.
He was laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major), to which he had a special devotion. —JCB, GMA Integrated News
