Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his profound sadness on Monday over the passing of Pope Francis, whom he referred to as the “best pope in my lifetime.”
In a Facebook post, Marcos, 67, praised the late pontiff as a man of deep faith and humility, noting that he led with both wisdom and an open heart, particularly towards the marginalized and forgotten.
Following the announcement of Pope Francis’ death, church bells rang out across Manila, marking a somber moment in one of the largest Catholic nations in the world. Approximately 80% of the Filipino population identifies as Roman Catholic, a reflection of over 300 years of Spanish colonial influence.
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Pope Francis last visited the Philippines in 2015, where he attracted a record attendance of nearly seven million people at a historic mass in the capital. His trip included a stop in Tacloban, where he met with survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest storm in the country’s history. Tragically, during that visit, a volunteer named Kristel Padasas lost her life in an accident. Her father, Jun Padasas, expressed his sorrow upon hearing of the Pope’s death.
“He is now in God’s hands. He feels no more pain and is in a better place,” he conveyed in a phone message. “I spoke to my daughter’s picture while lighting a candle at her altar and said, ‘Pope Francis is gone. Welcome him there.'”
