Pope Francis pumanaw, 88

HATAW News Team

NANAWAGAN si Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, pangulo ng Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), nitong Lunes, 21 Abril, sa mga simbahan na patunugin ang kanilang mga kampana at magtipon ang mga mananampalataya upang manalangin sa pagpanaw ng Santo Papa.

Kinompirma ng Vatican kahapon ang pagpanaw ni Pope Francis sa edad na 88 anyos.

Siya ay nagsilbi bilang ika-266 Santo Papa ng Simbahang Romano Katoliko simula noong 2013.

Opisyal na inianunsiyo ni Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin ang pagpanaw ng Santo Papa sa pamamagitan ng video statement mula sa Casa Santa Marta, ang opisyal na tirahan ni Pope Francis, at ipinaskil sa opisyal na Facebook page ng Vatican.

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with profound sorrow I have to announce to the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the Father’s house. His life has entirely been dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. He has taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love. In a particular way, in favor of the poorest and the marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinitely merciful love of our One and Triune God,” bahagi ng pahayag ni Cardinal Parolin.

Matatandaang binisita ni Pope Francis ang Filipinas noong Enero 2015, na naghatid ng kapanatagan sa milyon-milyong Filipino, lalo sa Tacloban, na noon ay lubhang napinsala ng bagyong Yolanda.

Kilala si Pope Francis bilang “People’s Pope” at tumatak sa mga Filipino dahil sa kaniyang damdamin para sa mga maralita, pagmamahal sa kapaligiran, at inklusibong pananaw sa pamumuno sa Simbahan.

Samantala, nagpahayag si Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, pangulo ng CBCP noong dumalaw si Pope Francis sa bansa, ng kalungkutan at pag-asa para sa yumaong lider ng Simbahang Katoliko.

“Although we grieve like orphans because he was truly ‘Lolo Kiko’ for us, we also stand firm in faith and hope that the radiance of the risen Lord will shine upon him forever,” pahayag ni Villegas.

Inilarawan niya si Pope Francis bilang isang lingkod na may kababaang loob na naghatid ng pag-ibig ng Diyos sa Filipinas, umulan man o umaraw.

Inalala din ni Villegas ang pagbibigay ng Santo Papa sa kaniya ng lakas ng loob sa gitna ng pagharap niya sa mga banta sa kaniyang buhay dahil sa kaniyang tahasang pagkontra sa extrajudicial killings.

“When I was mocked and ridiculed and threatened by government authorities in my stand against the extra-judicial killings, he assured me and encouraged me personally in Rome to carry on my task of guiding the flock through my pastoral letters. He knew his bishops. He knew our tears. He knew us and he loved us. He taught us not to fear,” ani Villegas.

“I know that like another saint of humility, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, our beloved Pope Francis will spend his heaven doing good here on earth. We pray for Pope Francis,” dagdag niya.

Nagpahayag din si Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula ng kalungkutan sa pagpanaw ng Santo Papa.

“Together with our universal Church and all persons of goodwill, we mourn his death. As we reflect on the journey of Pope Francis pontificate, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the gift of his person, a precious gift of God to the Church and to the world—and in a very special way to us as a Filipino people,” ani Advincula.

“On a personal note, I remember his enrollment of me to College of Cardinals and appointment as Archbishop of Manila in 2021. More importantly, we remember him for joyfully witnessing to the Gospel in our world marred by calamity, conflict, and despair,” dagdag niya.

Inalala ni Advincula ang pagtatalaga ni Pope Francis sa ilang Filipinong kardinal at mga obispo na sumasalamin sa kaniyang pagbibigay halaga sa paglilingkod at kababaang loob.

“Throughout his pontificate, our Lolo Kiko was a true father to us and has continued to show his love for the Philippines—not only through words, but through actions. He appointed many of our shepherds—including three cardinals and many bishops—who share his heart for service, simplicity, and dialogue. And as we celebrated 500 years of Christianity in our land, the Holy Father was with us, thanking God with us for the gift of faith, and encouraging us to continue sharing it with the world,” pahayag ng Arsobispo.