'Pope gave hope beyond spotlight'

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DAGUPAN CITY — Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas reflected on Pope Francis' quiet but profound legacy, drawing parallels between the recent deaths of iconic Filipino entertainers and the beloved pontiff.

Villegas began by acknowledging the nation's shared grief over the unexpected passing of screen legend Nora Aunor, and the deaths of Pilita Corrales and Hajji Alejandro — all beloved Filipino singers whose voices helped shape generations.

"All of them were celebrities, but there are some differences between the singers and the pope," Villegas said in his homily at the Mass for the eternal repose of Pope Francis at the St. John the Evangelist Metropolitan Cathedral here on Tuesday.

The mass was livestreamed on social media.

Villegas said that unlike performers who thrived in the limelight, Pope Francis brought joy not through spectacle, but through humility, presence, and faith.

"Pilita, Nora, and Hajji all had good voices. But Pope Francis knows the one who gives us voices," Villegas said.

He added that while performers gave momentary happiness through their craft, Pope Francis brought enduring joy through spiritual

nourishment.

"He was sent to teach us that our small stories are connected to the big story of the Resurrection of the Lord," he said.

Villegas said Pope Francis was a shepherd who embraced vulnerability — seen in his final public appearances attached to oxygen tubes or confined to a wheelchair.

Rather than hide his fragility, the pope bore it publicly as a testament to God's strength in human weakness, Villegas said.

"You have never seen Nora or Pilita or Hajji without the celebrity makeup ... But this man for whom we offer this Eucharist, he was not afraid to come out, even if he was sick," Villegas said. "Because we are not supermen. Our strength is the Lord."

He assured the faithful that while Pope Francis is gone, the Catholic Church will never be left without a shepherd.

"Popes will die, but another pope will be given to us ... not by politics ... but by the power of the Holy Spirit," he said, recalling Jesus's promise: "I will give you shepherds after my likeness ... and the powers of hell will not prevail."

As tears welled in the hearts of the faithful, Villegas reminded them of the true meaning of Christian hope: not entertainment, not fleeting optimism, but the enduring gift from God.

"We entrust Pope Francis to the mercy of God," he concluded. "We wipe the tears of our hearts, and we renew our faith that those who believe in the resurrection will certainly share in the glory of the risen one."