Rome, Italy — A symbol of Mercy and Compassion. A true advocate of hope and change.
Up until his last strength and hours, Pope Francis truly lived up to his role as the head of the Catholic Church surprising Easter Sunday mass goers with what would be his last appearance and official duty as the Bishop of Rome.
On Monday, the Vatican church announced the passing of Pope Francis after battling with respiratory illnesses and complications, ending his 12 years papacy ruling at the age of 88.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergolio was ordained in March 13, 2013 as the first non-European pontiff and first pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit order).
He chose the name Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi, and was the first pope to have used the said name.
Pope Francis was widely known for his humility, empathy to all faiths and denominations, and as a breath of fresh air and change for the Vatican church.
During his time, he stepped away from the more conservative view and approach led by the previous Church heads, and worked on softening the Church to open up with a wider perspective towards humanity and bring the Church closer to people.
Among these are the all women dicasteries in the Roman Curia, be more sympathetic to the members of the LGBT community, and opposition to death penalty.
Pope Francis appeared in a wheelchair at the Easter Sunday Mass, which was his biggest activity since he was discharged in the hospital due to double pneumonia.
In an announcement on Monday afternoon, the Vatican confirmed that the pontiff died at 7:35 morning of April 21.
‘PAALAM, LOLO KIKO’
His death marked a grieving moment for Filipinos who nicknamed him as Lolo Kiko, the third pope that made a papal visit in the Philippines.
His papal visit in January 15 to 19, 2015, sparked hope and new beginnings to Filipinos, as he visited Tacloban and Palo, Leyte uplifting victims of Typhoon Yolanda and Ruby.
His 2015 Visit in the Philippines had Mercy and Compassion as its theme, and was the largest papal crowd in history, with around 6-7 million attendees at his Papal mass at Luneta.
The official theme song of his papal visit in the Philippines was “We are all God’s children,” which highlighted humility, solidarity with the poor, and mercy to the weak.”
Even after his visit, the song was still being used and played among Catholic schools in the Philippines, noting the influence of Pope Francis’ visit to the Catholic community in the country.
During his five day papal visit, he was able to meet with street children, had lunch with the typhoon survivors, and was able to share light and hope for Filipinos who were in tough circumstances during that time.