In its 2,000-year history, the Catholic Church has been shepherded by 266 popes, each leaving their own mark. But over the past 12 years, one stood out with a distinctly personal and compassionate approach—Pope Francis, whose service resonated deeply with Filipinos and earned him the affectionate title “Lolo Kiko.”

Home to over 85 million Roman Catholics, the Philippines joins the rest of the world in mourning the death of the Pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In his 12-year tenure as pontiff, Pope Francis touched lives far beyond the walls of the Vatican—reaching as far as the hearts of the Filipino people. 

Feet on the ground

Christian faith stands on hope and the assurance of things unseen—fixing one’s eyes not on what is visible, but on what they believe is eternal. However, Pope Francis made himself a visible expression of that unseen love—a tangible reminder of God’s presence.

In the span of his pontificate, he made 47 apostolic visits to different countries, including the Philippines in January 2015. 

During this, he not only addressed the faithful in Metro Manila but also journeyed to Tacloban and Palo in Leyte, areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Braving inclement weather, he held an outdoor Mass in Tacloban for approximately 500,000 worshippers amid strong winds and pouring rain.

“I am here to be with you—a little bit late, but I’m here,” he said in his homily.

To look back, the typhoon affected 16 million people, displaced four million, and caused over 6,000 deaths, according to the United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

“So many of you have lost everything. I don’t know what to say to you. But the Lord does know what to say to you. Some of you have lost part of your families. All I can do is keep silence and walk with you all with my silent heart,” the pontiff continued.

During his visit, the Philippines also witnessed the largest papal crowd in history, as Pope Francis celebrated his culminating Mass at Luneta Park in Manila, drawing an estimated 6 to 7 million people.

As he ended the eucharistic celebration, the sea of millions of Filipinos chanted as they waved their white handkerchiefs, “Papa Francisco, mahal ng Pilipino!”

To mark this historic moment, the Philippines also released an official song for the papal visit, titled “We Are All God’s Children.”

A presence felt

Even beyond Philippine shores, Pope Francis made his presence felt among Filipinos around the world. Known for his progressive yet pastoral approach, he opened conversations on issues no pope had addressed so openly before—LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, social justice, interfaith dialogues, and the dignity of marginalized communities. These causes deeply resonated with many Filipinos, making their plights seen and understood by the head of the Catholic Church.

In a video message commemorating the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021, he acknowledged the hardships the country has endured, including earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on the resilience of the Filipino faithful, he drew from the symbol of the cross.

“You continued to carry the cross and to keep walking. You suffered greatly, but you also got up, time and time again,” he said.

He concluded his message with words of encouragement, reminding Filipinos to keep moving forward, saying, “The Pope is always at your side.”

In the same celebration, during his homily at the Vatican, Pope Francis acknowledged Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Rome as “smugglers of faith and joy,” recognizing their role in spreading the Gospel through their daily lives and work abroad.

Despite being physically distant, Pope Francis consistently conveyed his closeness to the Filipino people. In a recent example in October 2024, following the devastation of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine—which affected approximately 6.7 million individuals across Luzon—he offered prayers during his Angelus address, stating, “I am close to the population of the Philippines, struck by a powerful cyclone. May the Lord support those people, so full of faith.

Later that year, in December, Pope Francis met with Filipino Catholics in Spain, where he praised their pastoral initiative titled “Tahanan”—the Filipino word for “home” — affirming that wherever the Catholic Church is present, they would always find a spiritual home.

He also honored St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and patron of migrants and youth, describing him as a symbol of cultural integration and a model of unwavering faith and missionary spirit for Filipinos around the world.

Beyond his pastoral visits and public addresses, Pope Francis left behind a body of work that echoed his core convictions and compassion. He authored four encyclicals: Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), which reflected on the richness of Christian belief; Laudato Si (Praise Be to You), a call for environmental stewardship; Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers), an appeal for global solidarity and social friendship; and Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), a reminder of God’s unwavering love for humanity. These messages have been embraced by Filipino Catholic organizations, which continue to echo his call for faith, compassion, and solidarity in their communities.

Furthermore, Filipinos have found representation within the heart of the Church during Pope Francis’ tenure. Four of the ten Filipino cardinals were elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis himself, including Cotabato Archbishop Emeritus Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David. Their inclusion further solidified the connection between the Filipino faithful and the Vatican.

Bidding farewell to Lolo Kiko

Bells tolled and prayers poured out on April 21, 2025, as the news of his passing spread, with Filipinos joining the rest of the world in mourning the loss of a beloved leader, bidding farewell to their “Lolo Kiko.”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. grieved the passing of the Pope in a statement, describing him as a man of “profound faith and humility,” leading “not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten.” Marcos Jr. also labeled the late pontiff as the “best Pope” in his lifetime.

University of Santo Tomas (UST), which was one of the sites visited by Pope Francis in 2015, shared a “message of sorrow and hope” in remembrance and honor of the pontiff.

“May we be inspired by the example of the man who, even as a shepherd, remained humble and asked for the help of his flock,” UST said.

Likewise, then-president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Archbishop Socrates Villegas, following the passing of the pontiff, said, “In sunshine or under the rain, he made us feel the love of God. The rains and our tears of joy were mixed, running down our cheeks. We knew that in him, Jesus was in our midst.”

In his passing, Pope Francis leaves behind a Church profoundly shaped by his compassionate leadership. His legacy, grounded in faith and humility, will endure as a timeless memory for Filipinos, both today and in the future.