VATICAN CITY. Shock and sorrow rippled through the global Catholic community on Monday as news broke of Pope Francis’s death at age 88. Beloved by many for his humility and compassion, the Argentine pontiff is being remembered as a shepherd who championed the marginalized and worked tirelessly for unity and peace.
At the Vatican, tourists and pilgrims gathered for Holy Week were left stunned by the news. Just the day before, Pope Francis had greeted crowds from his open-topped popemobile on Easter Sunday, with chants of “Viva il Papa!” echoing through St. Peter’s Square.
“He appeared in public yesterday, looked healthy. I was so shocked, and sad of course,” said Father Bachai, a retired priest from the United States, speaking from the Vatican.
In Buenos Aires, his hometown where he once served as archbishop, Argentinians awoke to the somber news. Nicolas Cordoba, a local resident, expressed deep grief: “It hurts me like crazy, it hurts me a lot because I agreed, more than anything, with his words in support of bisexuals, and homosexuals.” Dozens attended a special Mass held at the Buenos Aires cathedral.
“The truth is, I wasn’t surprised. He was clearly very ill. I think he made a great effort to make it to Easter, which is the great festival for Christians,” said Jorgelina Ventura, a 53-year-old lawyer, reflecting on the pope’s final public appearance.
In the conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo, faithful Catholics also paid tribute to Pope Francis. “The pope really cared about our country, Congo, with the repeated wars we are going through,” said Faida Nabintu, a worshipper in Bukavu, a city held by rebels.
At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, 25-year-old German pilgrim David Sieben, who had just completed a nine-month journey on foot, prayed for Francis’ legacy to continue. “I pray that the next pope can continue in the footsteps of our beloved Francis and carry on a unity between Orthodox and Catholic,” he said.
Others hoped for fresh leadership but maintained deep respect for Francis’ work. “I think it would bring a breath of fresh air to this whole episcopate and papacy,” said Peter Ladweg while pausing during a run in Berlin.
In South Korea, a nation once visited by Francis, Catholic Ho remembered the pontiff’s response during national tragedy. “When the world is facing complex challenges, the Pope always cares about that, and I always feel deepest gratitude in my heart for him,” Ho said, recalling the Pope’s prayers for victims of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster that claimed 304 lives.
From Poland, Beata Wolska, a pensioner, praised the Pope’s simplicity and humility. “Holiness is about the way one lives, not about what one thinks of oneself,” she said, referencing Francis’ wish to be buried in a simple wooden coffin in a Roman basilica instead of the Vatican.
In Rio de Janeiro, Rosane Ribeiro called Pope Francis “unique and extraordinary.” She said, “As a priest, he got up every day to pray for the world. He was simply a 10, and died at a marvellous and beautiful time (Easter), worthy of him.”
Meanwhile, in Nairobi, Kenya, worshipper Rosemary Mushayi reflected on the Pope’s universal reach. “He was a man who reached out to the whole world, not just Catholics. He was a man who had a heart for the weak and the poor,” she said.
At noon in Rome, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled solemnly. A hush fell over the gathered crowd.
“We saw him here, he was just driven by in the car,” said Letizia Bartocci, who works in a jewelry shop near the square. “It was shocking news this morning.”
As tributes pour in from all corners of the world, one thing is clear—Pope Francis, through his humility, compassion, and unwavering faith, leaves behind a legacy that transcends religious boundaries.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
