MANILA, Philippines–Moved by the Filipino Catholics’ deep faith, Pope Francis on Sunday urged his flock in the Philippines to become “outstanding missionaries” in the region.
“Filipinos are called to be outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia,” Pope Francis told the estimated 6 million Filipinos who braved the rains to attend his visit’s culminating Mass.
In his homily, Francis recognized the Philippines as the “foremost Catholic country in Asia.”
Pope Francis celebrates a Mass at Rizal Park, in Manila, Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. Millions filled Manila’s main park and surrounding areas for Pope Francis’ final Mass in the Philippines on Sunday, braving a steady rain to hear the pontiff’s message of hope and consolation for the Southeast Asian country’s most downtrodden and destitute. (AP Photo/L’Osservatore Romano, Pool)
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, during the delivery of the Words of Gratitude, told the Pontiff that Filipinos were ready to accompany him to the “peripheries.”
“You arrived in the Philippines three days ago. Tomorrow you will go. Every Filipino wants to go with you,” Tagle said, making the attendees laugh.
“Not to Rome, but to the peripheries,” an impassioned Tagle clarified. On the big screen, Pope Francis was seen listening intently, seemingly teary-eyed.
“We want to go with you to the shanties, to the prison cells, to hospitals, to the world of politics, finance, arts, the sciences, culture, education and social communication,” the cardinal said. “We will go to those worlds with you to bring the light of Christ.”
Like a child
In his homily the Pope Francis also reminded the faithful to remain children of God.
With the Mass falling on the Feast of the Sto. Nino, he reminded the faithful to follow the lead of the young Jesus.
“It was a frail child, in need of protection, who brought God’s goodness, mercy and justice into the world. He resisted the dishonesty and corruption which are the legacy of sin, and he triumphed over them by the power of his cross,” he said.
Pope Francis asked the Sto. Niño to “continue to bless the Philippines” and to “sustain the Christians of this great nation in their vocation to be witnesses and missionaries of the joy of the Gospel, in Asia and in the whole world.”
He said the papal visit song “We Are all God’s Children” is also the Sto. Niño’s message.
“Today Saint Paul has told us that in Christ we have become God’s adopted children, brothers and sisters in Christ. This is who we are. This is our identity. We saw a beautiful expression of this when Filipinos rallied around our brothers and sisters affected by the typhoon,” he explained.
The concluding Mass’ gospel narrated how Jesus scolded his apostles for preventing children from approaching him.
The Pope, who is said to remind people of Jesus Christ, is also known for being close to children and taking the time to kiss infants and toddlers during motorcades. In his visit to Malacañang, he gamely blessed almost a dozen children as he was walking along the red carpet with President Benigno Aquino III.
“In the Gospel, Jesus welcomes children, he embraces them and blesses them. We too need to protect, guide and encourage our young people…We need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished and protected,” he said.
In the four days that he has stayed in the country, Pope Francis has endeared himself to Filipinos, who took to heart his lessons on simplicity and shunning corruption, among other sins. Called the “Pope of Surprises,” he broke the security protocol a couple of times to be with the people.
After celebrating Mass at Manila Cathedral on Friday, he and Tagle suddenly left to visit street children being taken care of by a foundation.
“We need to care for our young people, not allowing them to be robbed of hope and condemned to life on the streets,” the Pope said in his homily.
Heavy downpour
In a show of force, around 6 million Filipinos, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), attended the concluding Mass at Quirino Grandstand. The crowd, which contented itself with the live feed shown on LED screens, overflowed to nearby roads.
All throughout the event, there was an incessant downpour of rain but people continuously streamed into the venue.
People were unfazed despite being soaked in rain and whipped by the occasional cold wind.
“Papa Francisco is loved by Filipinos!” the crowd chanted.
Carmelite missionary Sr. Genia Bolima, who was using a sack as a raincoat, said she didn’t mind standing in the rain for hours.
“If you’re anticipating someone, you don’t feel bored. You don’t feel irritated or impatient because you are waiting for somebody so important,” she told INQUIRER.net.
Like in previous days, Pope Francis left the Apostolic Nunciature early to be with the public. He came at least half an hour early in Rizal Park.
She said what makes Pope Francis distinct is his dedication to imitate Jesus.
“He’s like Jesus who loves to be with the least, the lost and the last,” Bolima said.
“He lives what he preaches. He walks the talk,” she added.
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