How Pope Francis impacts social media missionary’s ministry

Social media missionary Romar Chuca shares his close encounter with Pope Francis in January 2015. —Photo from Romar Chuca/ Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — With how Pope Francis opened his arms wide open to the poor and the underserved, a social media missionary was inspired to do the same with farmers, indigenous peoples, and the youth.

For Romar Chuca, the late pontiff’s teaching echoed in volumes, and it is something he knew that he would embody in his ministry.

Aside from his ministry, Chuca is also known as “Catholic Comedian” in social media, where he posts relatable yet entertaining contents about his faith.

In an interview with INQUIRER.net during its special coverage of Pope Francis’ funeral, Chuca shared that as part of his ministry, he visits Mindanao, helps farmers and indigenous peoples, and talks to the youth.

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“Buhay na buhay ’yung sinabi ni Pope Francis na go to the peripheries sa kung ano ’yung ministry na ginagawa ko. Pati sa social media influence na nagagawa ko sa pamamagitan ng comedy, humor,” Chuca said.

(Pope Francis’ teaching of going to the peripheries is embodied in the ministry that I do. Even in the social media influence through comedy, humor.)

‘God has never left you’

Chuca shared that he was one of the Filipinos who got the opportunity to witness the Papal visit in January 2015. The former student leader from the Ateneo de Manila University said that meeting the Pope further deepened and strengthened his faith.

“Lumalim yung pananampalataya ko in such a way na hindi lang pala pagdarasal sa loob ng simbahan, kung hindi, kailangan din ng social justice. Kailangan ng action towards yung tinatawag na the least, the last, and the lost,” Chuca said.

(My faith deepened in such a way that it is not just about praying inside a church, but also, there needs to be social justice. There needs to be action towards what they call the least, the last, and the lost.)

Chuca also highlighted the Pope’s visit to Tacloban City, almost two years after it was ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda, leaving thousands of people dead and many families in despair.

“Dun ako nainspire at nabuhayan ng loob kasi ’yung isang Santo Papa, hindi niya malilimutan ’yung peripheries, to the point na pupunta at pupunta siya sa Tacloban, Leyte kung saan maraming tao ang namatay, my uncle and aunt included,” Chuca added.

(It inspired me because the Pope did not forget about the peripheries, to the point that he went to Tacloban, Leyte where a lot of people died, including my aunt and uncle.)

The missionary recalled how the pope told the people in his visit that God has never left them, and that Jesus who died on the cross also experienced their sufferings.

Chuca also mentioned that even if did not personally experience the typhoon’s nightmare, he grieved over the loss of his uncle, aunt, and 11 other relatives.

READ: Pope Francis: Remembering his life, teachings and legacy — Live Updates

Meeting the Pope after 10 years

Chuca also shared how “lucky” he was that he was invited by one of the offices of Vatican City to represent the Philippines to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025 where he had a close encounter with the Pope.

Chuca said that it was past lunch time when the pope appeared for his speech. He added that the pope cut his speech short and went around the church to meet everyone.

Chuca, who brought an orange and biscuit with him, amusingly recalled his memory of offering the snacks to the Pope who passed in front of him. He said that the Vatican News even captured the moment, which he said was reminiscent of the God and Adam painting in the Sistine Chapel.

“Ito sabi ko proud to be Pinoy na kahit anong event may dalang pagkain… So sabi ko, “Pope Francis, snacks! Snacks!”

(I said that bringing snacks in any event is a proud Pinoy moment… I said “Pope Francis, snacks! Snacks!”

Despite the Pope not accepting the snacks he offered, he said that it was a “fun moment” where he even kept the biscuit at the altar in their house.

Chuca described the experience as “surreal and so real,” where he said that he felt that the Lord’s presence was real through the Pope as a “walking inspiration.”

Looking back at the 10-year gap of his encounters with the Pope, Chuca still could not believe that it happened.

“Nagkaroon ng reflection na look how I’ve grown so much na sinundan ko pala ’yung message ni Pope Francis na go to the peripheries. And ’di lang naman yun message ni Pope Francis, but in essence na message din ’yun ni Kristo,” Chuca said.

(I had a reflection of how I’ve grown because I followed Pope Francis’ message to go to the peripheries. And it is not just the message of Pope Francis’ but in essence, Christ’s message.)

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Chuca joined the world in paying last respects to the Supreme leader of the Catholic church.

The Pope was laid to rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore, after his funeral rites in front of the St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Pope Francis died on April 21 at the age of 88, just a day after he made a public appearance for Easter Sunday.