A Special Lookback: Pope Francis in the Philippines

Photo Courtesy: Benhur Alcayan | Malacañang Photo

A DECADE has passed since Pope Francis’ first pastoral and state visit to the Philippines on January 15-19, 2015, marking the first papal visit in the twenty-first century. Today, let’s go down memory lane.

Pope Francis’ historic visit to the Philippines in 2015 was a watershed moment in Catholic Church history, affecting not only the country but also the entire global Catholic community.

The visit had great spiritual and humanitarian significance, and it demonstrated Pope Francis’ dedication to outreach, social justice, and pastoral care for Catholics all around the world.

The Philippines, Asia’s largest Catholic country, welcomed the Holy Father with open arms, and his visit left a lasting effect on both the Filipino people and the global Catholic Church.

The Historic Papal Visit

Pope Francis was the third pontiff to visit the country, after Paul VI in 1970 and John Paul II in 1981 and 1995. The visit was noteworthy as it aimed to draw attention to the condition of the impoverished and marginalized.

“Those on the margins cry. Those who have fallen by the wayside cry. Those who are discarded cry. But those who are living a life that is more or less without need, we don’t know how to cry,” he said.

Despite the heavy rain, the mood was electrifying. There has been a lot of excitement about the Pope and the issues he has been focusing on, such as aiding the poor, the value of family, and environmental protection.

Photo Courtesy: Benhur Alcayan | Malacañang Photo

Those who couldn’t make it to the park for the Mass waited anxiously under umbrellas as close as they could to catch a sight of Pope Francis on his way to the Mercy and Compassion-themed event.

According to an old city official account, some 16,000 volunteers comprised of Manila barangay police officers and parishioners formed a “human barricade” to protect Pope Francis while in the capital.

Meanwhile, this figure excludes the 5,000 students from the University of Santo Tomas who also volunteered to form a human wall when the Pope visited the school on January 18, 2015.

Approximately six to seven million people attended Francis’ farewell Papal Mass in Rizal Park in Manila, making it the greatest papal attendance in Philippine history and one of the largest in the world.

Read: Pope Francis has died aged 88

A Journey of Compassion

The timing of Pope Francis’ visit was particularly painful, as the Philippines had just endured the destruction of Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Yolanda, one of the most powerful typhoons recorded.

The Pope stated that as soon as he saw the typhoon’s devastation, he made the decision to visit the Philippines. He even had a plan to eat lunch with typhoon survivors, but was forced to cut it short owing to a tropical storm.

“I would like to tell you something close to my heart. When I saw in Rome that catastrophe, I felt I had to be here. And on those very days, I decided to come here. I’m here to be with you,” the Pope said.

Photo Courtesy: Benhur Alcayan | Malacañang Photo

Before leaving for Manila, the Pope held an outdoor mass for an estimated 200,000 people in the face of high winds and heavy rain. During the Mass, the Pope discussed the effects of the typhoon.

He told the faithful, “So many of you in Tacloban have lost everything. I don’t know what to say – but the Lord does… He underwent so many of the trials that you do.”

Typhoon Yolanda, one of the fiercest storms ever recorded on land, caused a 23-foot storm surge and destroyed almost everything in its path when it stormed ashore on November 8, 2013.

More than 14.5 million people were affected in six regions and 44 provinces, with approximately one million still homeless during his personal visit to the province.

Throughout his visit, the Pope’s small yet meaningful actions, such as his willingness to spend time with the impoverished and sick, underscored his commitment to putting the ideals he preached into action.

Our “Lolo Kiko”

Pope Francis has always held a special place in the hearts of Filipinos. During his tour, he even got a nickname from the Filipinos: Lolo Kiko, which he commended.

Furthermore, in 2020, the Pope selected former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as Pro-Prefect for the Dicastery for Evangelization’s Section of First Evangelization.

Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines in 2015 marked a special moment for both the Church and the Filipino people. It was a visit filled with compassion, solidarity, and a call to action on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged.

His themes on social justice, climate change, and the value of family rang true with the Filipino people, reinforcing his image as a Pope who supports the causes of the underprivileged.

The visit also gave a chance for the Church to consider its role in tackling the social and environmental concerns of the twenty-first century.

Undoubtedly, Pope Francis’ visit left a lasting impression on the hearts of the Filipino people, reminding them of the power of faith, hope, and love in the face of hardship.

Indeed, the visit was more than just a religious occasion; it was a historic moment in which the Church reaffirmed its commitment to walking alongside the poor and oppressed, comforting and encouraging them.

As the Philippines continues to encounter societal problems, Pope Francis’ visit serves as a reminder of the necessity of compassion, service, and solidarity in creating a more equitable and inclusive society.