By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Archdioceses throughout the Philippines have expressed their sympathies for the death of Pope Francis, who died Monday morning in the Vatican.
In separate statements, the Archdioceses of Cebu, Lingayen-Dagupan in Pangasinan and Palo, Leyte said they are one with the “Universal Church” in mourning the demise of the 88-year-old Holy Father.
“The Archdiocese of Cebu joins the Universal Church in mourning the death of Pope Francis,” it said.
“The Archdiocese invites all the lay faithful, clergy, and religious to offer prayers and Masses for the eternal repose of his soul. May the Lord grant him the reward of his faithful service and welcome6 him into eternal peace,” the archdiocese added.
On the other hand, Archbishop Socrates Villegas noted that the pontiff has returned to the “House of the Father.”
“His Holiness Pope Francis has returned to the House of the Father today Easter Monday. Although we grieve like orphans because he was truly ‘Lolo Kiko’ for us, we also stand firm in faith and hope that the radiance of the risen Lord will shine upon him forever,” he said.
“He was the gift of the Good Shepherd to the Church. He served us with humility. He showed us God’s mercy. He linked us with bridges of compassion with fellow believers and with non-believers. He bravely disturbed us in our complacency and prejudices. He taught us to care for God’s creation. He taught us Jesus. Pope Francis was our Jesus for our age,” the head of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese added.
He also reminisced the time Pope Francis visited the Philippines in January 2015, where his presence, he said, made people feel that Jesus was with the people.
“The images of his memorable visit to the Philippines are clear and vivid in our grateful hearts. 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,” Villegas said.
He also shared how the pope got his back when he spoke against the extrajudicial killings of the past administration.
“When I was mocked and ridiculed and threatened by government authorities in my stand against the extra judicial killings, he assured me and encouraged me personally in Rome to carry on my task of guiding the flock through my pastoral letters. He knew his bishops. He knew our tears. He knew us and he loved us. He taught us not to fear,” the Catholic prelate added.
At the same time, the Leyte archdiocese expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for giving hope to Leyte people after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated the province in 2015.
“Even with the bad weather, our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, didn’t let anything stop him from being with us–especially those who had endured the heartbreak and devastation of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Leyte. He gave so much of himself, braving the storm just to be here and bring comfort–just as Christ would have done,” it said.
The Palo archdiocese also urged the faithful to pray for the eternal rest of Pope Francis.
“Now, as we grieve his passing, may we hold on to the words he left us during that visit: that Christ carried all our pain and sorrow in His passion, and that He is with us in our moments of grief and sadness. Let us continue to pray for Pope Francis–for peace, for rest, and for his eternal place in God’s loving embrace,” it added.
Meanwhile, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos offered prayers and Holy Masses for Pope Francis.
“The Diocese of Antipolo is one with the whole world on this moment of sorrow and bereavement. We pray and offer our Holy Masses,” he said in a separate statement.
The Catholic prelate also urged the faithful to embrace what the Holy Father has shown to the people.
“With his teachings and shepherding examples lead us to give our best to God and to love more our Church. Let us live what our beloved Holy Father has shown and shared to us. There in Heaven he will continue to pray and to intercede for us,’” the head of the Diocese of Antipolo said.
“We lose a father, a holy and very human father. With his paternal and pastoral care, Pope Francis grants us hope and helps us in this turbulent and trying times, he gives us healing of ourselves and of the world,” he added.
The Vatican News announced that Pope Francis passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2025, 7:35 am, Easter Monday, at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City.
His papacy started on March 13, 2013. He was the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope. (PNA)
