Francis draws Tacloban youth, adults to church even after death

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — The crowd at the thanksgiving Mass for Pope Francis on Saturday may not be as huge as the swarm of people that welcomed him here 10 years ago, but the spirit and essence of his visit remains alive, even after his passing.

Before the Mass near the tarmac of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, several young people were seen eagerly preparing for the thanksgiving mass officiated by Monsignor Ramon Stephen Aguilos.

According to Shaina Cartel and Princess Carnecer—both of whom were still young children when Francis visited Tacloban in January 2015—they had the urge to thank the late Pope for his contributions to the world, and for standing with the city and the entire Western Visayas region during tough times.

READ: Pope Francis in PH: A look back at his 2015 trip to Manila, Leyte

“Our involvement today is we are some of the servers for this Mass and we are also church volunteers coming from different parishes,” Cartel said.

“It feels an honor and privilege po for us to serve, to give tribute to him,” Carnecer added.

Cartel said that they felt sad upon learning of Francis’ passing, which is why they want to show how grateful Tacloban is for the Pope’s service and efforts.

READ: Francis’ life challenges Christians: Stand with suffering, shun comforts

“Especially po, ano, mga from San Jose man po kami, parang ano, nakaka-overwhelm din po kasi na-witness po namin siya na pumunta dito and parang ano, nakaka-teary eyed na […] wala na po siya, and ano, ngayon po nandito kami to pay tribute po and for acknowledging him for his service po dito sa mundo,” she noted.

(Especially since I am from San Jose, it is overwhelming because I was witness to his visit to the country and now I am teary-eyed after knowing that he’s gone, so now we are here to pay tribute and to acknowledge him for his service here in the world.)

Another volunteer, John Carl Soledad, said he was not able to attend Francis’ mass in January 2015 but he knew how important the pope’s presence was for Eastern Visayas.

“Actually hindi po, kasi nando’n kami sa ibang barrio po kami, pero nakita ko naman po na nandirito siya, tapos, as a Taclobanon super happy kami na nandito siya sa Tacloban, kaya nandito kami ngayon para sa tribute para sa kanya,” Soledad said.

(Actually I wasn’t physically present, because we were in a different barrio during that time, but I was able to see what happened when he was here, and as a Taclobanon I was super happy that he was here, that’s why now we have a tribute for him.)

Maribeth dela Peña, a church volunteer who was able to witness both Yolanda’s impact and Francis’ visit, said that they do not understand how they really felt the pope’s sincerity and love when he came here.

“Naaalala namin si Pope Francis nang pumunta siya dito sa Tacloban, ramdam namin ang pagmamahal na pinakita niya sa amin, tapos ‘yong parang kahit na malayo ang mga tao, pinuntahan niya pa rin. Ramdam mo talaga ‘yong pagmamahal niya sa amin, ipinakita niya na may pag-asa kami,” she said.

(We remember Pope Francis’ visit here in Tacloban, we really felt his love for us, and even if he is far from us, he really reached out. You can really feel his love, and how he tells us that we will always have hope.)

“Masakit sa damdamin namin na nawala na siya (pero) iniwan niya ang mga ala-ala, hindi namin makakalimutan,” she added.

(It’s painful for us that he’s gone, but with the memories he left behind, we will not forget him.)

According to Dela Peña, she does not want to recall the hardships caused by Yolanda but the mere presence of Francis gave them the mindset that they can recover from any trial.

“Parang ayoko nang maalala kasi, kasi ma-ano talaga, parang ano ba… pero nang dumating si Pope Francis, nasabi namin na nandito ’yong kakampi namin, nagbigay ng pag-asa sa Tacloban na bumangon at saka magpatuloy,” she added.

(I don’t want to recall these bad experiences because they’re heavy… but when Pope Francis arrived, we were able to say that we had an ally in him, that he will give Tacloban hope to recover and carry on.)

More tributes poured as Francis was laid to his final resting place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Earlier, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez recalled Francis’ visit to Tacloban by stressing that more than giving hope to people, the pope showed how it is to lead by example and with compassion.

Earlier, Aguilos also said that Francis’ life is a challenge to Christians to stand with the suffering and marginalized while at the same time leaving one’s comfort zones.

In his homily, Aguilos said Francis’ visit to Tacloban in January 2015—10 years ago—should remind Filipinos to be like the yellow raincoat that the pontiff wore before, shielding other people during times of tribulation.

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away last April 21 morning in the Vatican—or just a day after the Catholic world celebrated Easter Sunday to commemorate Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

He was 88.

Francis’ passing came after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter’s Square. Prior to his return to his duties, Francis suffered from a bout with pneumonia, during which insiders said he came close to dying twice.

In the Philippines, those who witnessed him in Tacloban said that Francis’ visit and words enabled them to continue fighting for their future, and having faith that things will be better.

But aside from what happened during the papal visit to Leyte and Manila, Filipinos also remembered Francis for ushering change in a Church riddled by controversies, a hardline stance on conservatism, and allegations of indifference for the poor and marginalized.

People from all over the globe have thanked Francis for being kind, and for opening the church to people from diverse backgrounds, regardless of age, sexual orientation, financial status, religion, and history.