Marcos: Pope Francis made Pinoys ‘feel seen’

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April 28, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos lauded Pope Francis for making Filipinos “feel seen,” as he joined fellow leaders and representatives from more than 130 countries in paying last respects to the late pontiff in Vatican City.

In a statement, Marcos said he had attended the funeral of Francis as “a gesture of deep respect, from one of the world’s most faithful nations, to a pope who touched the hearts of millions.”

“I represented not just the Philippine government, but the everyday Filipino – prayerful, hopeful and grateful – who would have wanted to be there to say thank you to a shepherd who made them feel seen,” the President said.

“This is a moment of shared faith, national pride, and quiet tribute from the Filipino people to a Pope who walked with the humble and gave voice to the unseen,” he added.

Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died of a stroke and irreversible cardiovascular arrest on April 21 at the age of 88.

The predominantly Catholic Philippines observed a period of mourning from Wednesday to Saturday over the passing of the late Argentine pontiff, whom Filipinos fondly called “lolo Kiko.”

In his proclamation declaring the mourning period, Marcos said Francis became “a global symbol of humility, compassion and peace” throughout his 12 years of service as the head of the Catholic Church.

He also praised the pope for devoting his ministry to the care of the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable and for advocating social justice, equality and interfaith dialogue.

Marcos also recalled the late pope’s apostolic visit to the Philippines in January 2015, where he comforted the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.

More than 78 percent of the Philippines’ population are Catholics, according to latest official figures.

During the funeral, which was held in St. Peter’s Square and attended by about 400,000 people, the First Couple had interactions with US President Donald Trump, former US president Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden.

Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos left for the Vatican last Thursday. It was the President’s 32nd foreign trip since assuming office in 2022. They are scheduled to return to the Philippines today.

Continue reforms

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (CBCP-ECPPC) is hoping that the new pope will continue Francis’ reforms, including improvement in the treatment of inmates.

In a recent interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, CBCP-ECPPC chairman and Military Ordinariate Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio asked the people to pray that Francis’ successor will continue with the reforms that he started.

Florencio said, “Let us pray that the reforms that Pope Francis had initiated be continued by his successor.”

Among the areas where Francis initiated reforms are those that concern inmates.

“Since the start of his papacy in 2013, he has consistently visited a prison every year, especially during Holy Thursday to wash the feet of male and female prisoners alike; some even members of other religious denominations, to put across the message that God is a forgiving God and He gives another chance to those who sin as long as they hold on to the Lord and make an effort to change and reform their lives,” Florencio said.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay, Palawan also asked for prayers to guide the cardinal-electors who are tasked to choose the next pope. — Evelyn Macairan