Pope Francis and the Filipino People

by Joel V. Ocampo

In the afternoon of April 21, 2025, the Vatican announced that His Holiness Pope Francis died at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.

Biography of the Holy Father

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known as Pope Francis, was born on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a country in the southern half of South America. He was the son of Italian immigrants. He graduated as a chemical technician at the Escuela Técnica Industrial Nº 27 Hipólito Yrigoyen in Buenos Aires.

A historical marker was installed at the entrance of this school that says, “En esta escuela curso estudios secundarios el Papa Francisco legislatura de la ciudad autonomia de Buenos Aires.” Translated as “Pope Francis attended secondary school at this school, the legislature of the autonomous city of Buenos Aires.” It was installed on November 27, 2014, more than a year after he became pope.

In the school’s Facebook page, the school administrators of ET N° 27 "Hipólito Yrigoyen" said, “Aunque la Escuela Técnica Nº 27 sea laica, no deja de admirar el esfuerzo de nostro compatriota por la paz mundial, el cuidado del medioambiente y el dialogu intercultural.” (Although Technical School No. 27 is secular, it still admires our compatriot's efforts for world peace, environmental protection, and intercultural dialogue.) The school added, “We mourn the passing of our former student Jorge Bergoglio, who also became one of the most influential Argentines in history.”

After this, he worked briefly in the food-processing industry. However, he heard the call of the Divine Shepherd. Thus, he chose the path of the priesthood, entering the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto. On March 11, 1958, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. On March 12, 1960, he made his First Vows as a Member of Society of Jesus.

Then, he completed his studies of the humanities in Santiago, Chile. He then returned to Argentina in 1963 where he earned his licentiate (equivalent to a master’s degree) in philosophy from the Colegio de San José in San Miguel.

The Vatican website further record that from 1964 to 1965 he taught literature and psychology at Immaculate Conception College in Santa Fé and in 1966 he taught the same subject at the Colegio del Salvatore in Buenos Aires. From 1967-70 he studied theology and obtained a degree from the Colegio of San José.

On December 13, 1969, Memorial of Saint Lucy, he received his Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters through the laying of hands of †Archbishop Ramón José Castellano, Archbishop of Córdoba, Argentina. On April 22, 1973, he made his final profession with the Jesuits.

As a priest, the then Fr. Bergoglio served in some of the following ministries:

• Provincial, Jesuits in Argentina (1973-1979);

• Rector, Colegio de San José; and

• Parish Priest, San Miguel.

On May 20, 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Titular Bishop of Auca. Then on May 27, 1992, he was ordained bishop. He chose as his episcopal motto, miserando atque eligendo, and on his coat of arms inserted the IHS, the symbol of the Society of Jesus.

On February 28,1998, he succeeded †Antonio Cardinal Quarracino as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina. After more than two years, at the Consistory on February 21, 2001, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II, and appointed Cardinal-Priest of San Roberto Bellarmino. He asked the faithful not to come to Rome to celebrate his creation as Cardinal but rather to donate to the poor what they would have spent on the journey. Then on March 13, 2013, he was elected as successor of St. Peter.

Pope Francis and the Filipino People

When the news about the death of Pope Francis reached the Philippine Church, the bells of various churches rang to the tune of agonías and de profundis, a tone that calls to plegaria (prayer) for the eternal repose of the soul of Pope Francis.

In the heart of the Filipino faithful, Pope Francis, our “Lolo Kiko” has a special place, just as the Filipino faithful are special to Pope Francis. When the pope heard the news about the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in November 2013, he posted on his X (former twitter) account, “I ask all of you to join me in prayer for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda especially those in the beloved islands of the Philippines” (8:27 PM · Nov 9, 2013). He further encouraged the faithful to extend help, saying “We remember the Philippines, Vietnam and the entire region hit by Typhoon Haiyan. Please be generous with prayers and concrete help” (11:57 PM · Nov 11, 2013).

Then in May 2014, the pope announced his plan to visit the Philippines in January 2015. This was further confirmed with a tweet on August 19, 2014, saying, “Thank you, my friends in Korea. God willing, I will be back in Asia very soon. #Philippines #SriLanka”

Thus, in January 2015, Lolo Kiko visited the country as part of his Apostolic Journey to Sri Lanka and the Philippines. This Apostolic Visit to the Philippines from January 15 to 19, 2015 brough Mercy and Compassion to the Filipino faithful.

On January 12, 2015, the pope started his apostolic journey, with a request (via X), “Please pray with me for everyone in Sri Lanka and the Philippines as I begin my trip.”

While in the Philippines, Lolo Kiko said the following using his X (twitter) account:

• January 16, 2015 – Ang Pilipinas ay patunay ng kabataan at kasiglahan ng Simbahan. (The Philippines bear witness to the youthfulness and vitality of the Church.)

• January 16, 2015 – Ang pamilya ay ang pinakamahalagang kayamanan ng isang bansa. Naway pagsikapan nating ipagtanggol at patatagin itong pundasyon ng lipunan. (The family is the greatest treasure of any country.  Let us all work to protect and strengthen this, the cornerstone of society.)

• January 17, 2015 – Ang kahabagan ng Diyos, ang kanyang sakripisyo, ay nagbibigay saysay at halaga sa lahat ng ating paghihirap. (The compassion of God, his suffering-with-us, gives meaning and worth to our struggles and our sufferings.)

• January 18, 2015 – Madalas nating makalimutang pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga bagay na talagang mahalaga. Nakakalimutan natin na tayo'y Anak ng Diyos. (How often we forget to dedicate ourselves to that which truly matters!  We forget that we are children of God.)

• January 18, 2015 – Bilang Kristiyano, miyembro ng pamilya ng Diyos, tinatawag tayo upang hanapin at paglingkuran ang lahat ng mga nangangailangan. (We who are Christians, members of God’s family, are called to go out to the needy and to serve them.)

As he departs from Philippines to Rome, Lolo Kiko once again posted on X, “Sa aking mga kaibigan sa Sri Lanka at Pilipinas: Naway pagpalain kayo ng Diyos. Sana´y patuloy niyo akong ipagdasal.” (To my friends in Sri Lanka and the Philippines: May God bless you all!  Please pray for me.)

While in Rome, Lolo Kiko continues to show his care to the Filipino faithful. In the morning of January 27, 2019, two bombs exploded at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines. Twenty people were killed, and 102 others injured. The following day, the pope posted on X, “Let us pray for the victims of the terrorist attack on the Cathedral of Jolo, in the Philippines. May the Lord, Prince of Peace, convert the hearts of the violent, and grant the inhabitants of that region a peaceful coexistence.” Similarly, on December 3, 2023, when a bombing occurred during a Catholic Mass at the gymnasium of Mindanao State University in Marawi City, Pope Francis said, “I wish to assure my prayer for the victims of the attack that occurred this morning in the Philippines, where a bomb exploded during Mass. I am close to the families and the people of Mindanao, who have already suffered so much.”

When he heard the news about the severe floodings November 2020 because of Typhoon Ulysses, he said, “I am near in prayer to the dear people of the #Philippines who are suffering because of the destruction, and especially because of the flooding caused by a strong #typhoon. I express my solidarity to the poorest families and those who are doing all they can to help them.” Again, when Super Typhoon Odette struck the Philippines in mid-December 2021, Pope Francis posted, “I express my closeness to the population of the Philippines, struck by a strong typhoon that has caused many deaths and destroyed so many homes. May the “Santo Niño” bring consolation and hope to the families of those most affected. #PrayTogether”

During the celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines (500 YOC), the pope said, “Dear brothers and sisters from the #Philippines, five hundred years have passed since the Christian message first arrived in your land and you received the joy of the Gospel.  And this joy is evident in your people. Thank you for the joy you bring to the whole world!” (8:30 PM · Mar 14, 2021).

On December 15, 2019, in a historic first, a Pope presided over a Simbang Gabi in Saint Peter’s Basilica. Part of his homily is as follow:

For centuries in the Philippines, there has been a novena in preparation for Christmas called Simbang-Gabi (Night Mass). Over the course of nine days, the Filipino faithful meet in their parishes at dawn for a special Eucharistic celebration. In the last decades, thanks to Filipino migrants, this devotion has crossed national boundaries and has reached other countries. Simbang-Gabi has also been celebrated in the Diocese of Rome for years and today we are celebrating it here together in Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Through this celebration, we wish to prepare for Christmas according to the spirit of the Word of God which we have heard, staying steadfast until the definitive coming of the Lord, as the Apostle James advises (cf. Jas 5:7). We wish to commit ourselves to manifesting God’s love and tenderness towards everyone, in particular towards the least. We are called to be the leaven of a society that is often no longer able to appreciate the beauty of God and to experience the grace of his presence.

And you, dear brothers and sisters who have left your land in search of a better future have a special mission. May your faith be “leaven” in the parish communities to which you belong. I encourage you to increase the opportunities for encounter, to share your cultural and spiritual wealth, at the same time letting yourselves be enriched by the experiences of others. We are all invited to build together that communion in diversity that is a distinctive trait of the Kingdom of God inaugurated by Jesus Christ, Son of God made man. We are all called to practice charity together towards those who live on the existential peripheries, offering them our diverse gifts, so as to renew the signs of the presence of the Kingdom of God. We are all called to proclaim the Gospel together, the Good News of salvation in all the languages so as to reach as many people as possible.

May the Holy Child, wrapped in poor swaddling clothes and placed in a manger who we are preparing to adore, bless you and give you the strength to bear witness joyfully.

At the end of the Mass, the Holy Father imparted his blessing and asked the Filipino community to continue to be “smugglers of the faith”.

In another homily on March 14, 2021, Holy Mass for the 500th Anniversary of the Evangelization of The Philippines, the pope said,

Dear brothers and sisters, five hundred years have passed since the Christian message first arrived in the Philippines. You received the joy of the Gospel: the good news that God so loved us that he gave his Son for us. And this joy is evident in your people. We see it in your eyes, on your faces, in your songs and in your prayers. In the joy with which you bring your faith to other lands. I have often said that here in Rome Filipino women are “smugglers” of faith! Because wherever they go to work, they sow the faith. It is part of your genes, a blessed “infectiousness” that I urge you to preserve. Keep bringing the faith, the good news you received five hundred years ago, to others. I want to thank you, then, for the joy you bring to the whole world and to our Christian communities. I think, as I mentioned, of the many beautiful experiences in families here in Rome — but also throughout the world — where your discreet and hardworking presence became a testimony of faith. In the footsteps of Mary and Joseph, for God loves to bring the joy of faith through humble, hidden, courageous and persevering service.

On this very important anniversary for God’s holy people in the Philippines, I also want to urge you to persevere in the work of evangelization — not proselytism, which is something else. The Christian proclamation that you have received needs constantly to be brought to others. The Gospel message of God’s closeness cries out to be expressed in love for our brothers and sisters. God desires that no one perish. For this reason, he asks the Church to care for those who are hurting and living on the fringes of life. God so loves us that he gives himself to us, and the Church has this same mission. The Church is called not to judge but to welcome; not to make demands, but to sow seeds; not to condemn, but to bring Christ who is our salvation.

I know that this is the pastoral program of your Church: a missionary commitment that involves everyone and reaches everyone. Never be discouraged as you walk this path. Never be afraid to proclaim the Gospel, to serve and to love. With your joy, you will help people to say of the Church too: “she so loved the world!” How beautiful and attractive is a Church that loves the world without judging, a Church that gives herself to the world. May it be so, dear brothers and sisters, in the Philippines and in every part of the earth.

Finally, one of the touching moments to the Filipinos was when the Pope celebrated the Mass at the Tacloban International Airport on January 17, 2015, for the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. In his homily, Pope Francis said, 

I am here to tell you that Jesus is Lord; that Jesus does not disappoint. “Father”, one of you may tell me, “He disappointed me because I lost my house, I lost my family, I lost everything I had, I am sick”. What you say is true and I respect your feelings, but I see him there, nailed to the cross, and from there he does not disappoint us. He was consecrated Lord on that throne, and there he experienced all the disasters we experience. Jesus is Lord! And he is Lord from the cross, from there he reigned. That is why, as we heard in the first reading, he can understand us: he became like us in every way. So, we have a Lord who is able to weep with us, who can be at our side through life’s most difficult moments.

photo from CNS/Reuters/Ryeshen Egagamao

From Mere Audience to a Transcriber

While he was delivering this homily, I was at home, watching over the television. I was deeply touched when he said, “Let me tell you something personal – when I witnessed this disaster from Rome, I felt that I had to be here. That is when I decided to come here. I wanted to come to be with you. Maybe you will tell me that I came a little late; that is true, but here I am!”

This experience moved me to go to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to see him and listen to him in person the following day. When he passed in front of me, I just saw myself in tears. Six years later, I was tasked to transcribed some of his Angelus message during the July 25 and August 1, 2021, Angelus. While transcribing his angelus message, he taught me that “The Lord wants a loving relationship with us. Before the things we receive and do, there is Him to love... rather than being concerned only with the material bread that feeds us, let us welcome Jesus as the Bread of Life. Starting out from our friendship with Him, learn to love each other, freely and without calculation, without using others. Freely, with generosity, with magnanimity.”

Let us pray.

O God, who chose your servant, Pope FRANCIS (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), from among your Priests, and endowed him with pontifical dignity in the apostolic priesthood, grant, we pray, that he may also be admitted to their company for ever. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.