President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday expressed profound grief over the passing of Pope Francis, whom he praised as the most remarkable pope he has ever witnessed in his lifetime.
“Ibang klase si Pope Francis. That’s really sad. I love this Pope. The best Pope in my lifetime as far as I’m concerned,” Marcos said in an emotional statement on the sidelines of a meeting.
The Vatican earlier confirmed the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 following complications from double pneumonia. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he was elected as the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church on March 13, 2013. He made history as the first Jesuit pope and the first to come from the Americas.
Beloved by many Filipinos who fondly called him “Lolo Kiko,” Pope Francis left a lasting mark on the country during his 2015 visit. His itinerary included a Mass at the Manila Cathedral, a youth encounter at the University of Santo Tomas, and an emotional outdoor Mass in Tacloban City amid heavy rains and stormy winds.
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office highlighted the Pope’s enduring impact, noting that “Filipinos would always remember Pope Francis and his call to the Filipino faithful to reinvigorate daily their zeal to connect with and reach out to those in the margins, and to work collectively to protect the environment.”
