Papal Visit

Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, is one of the most influential popes. And we are blessed because he will visit us this coming January 16-18, 2015, particularly in Tacluban City and Manila. We all knew that in his administration, he was doing extraordinary things like; he invited a boy with Down's Syndrome for a ride in the Pope mobile, he embraced and kissed Vinicio Riva a man scarred by a genetic disease, he held a major ceremony at the chapel of a youth prison, he snuck out of the Vatican to feed the homeless, etc. These are some of the extraordinary things done by Pope Francis. In other words, he is in solidarity with the lost, the last and the least. 

            His advocacy is to be merciful and compassionate to other people, especially to the poor. He tries to establish the true church, a church for the poor. Lately, he was doing many extraordinary things. First, as I have cited above, his invitation of a boy with Down’s syndrome for a ride in the Pope mobile, maybe this was not done by the previous popes but Pope Francis did this because maybe he has something to tell us. Perhaps he wanted us to be more caring and loving for those people who have defects.  Or maybe he wanted to emphasize the importance of each person. Second, I was touched when he embraced and kissed Vinincio Riva, a man scarred by genetic disease. For me, it was a sign of humility.  Maybe Riva was a hopeless man because he suffered a genetic disease and maybe he was often mocked in public because of his situation, but Pope Francis made him feel that he is important. The act itself of Pope Francis, embracing and kissing Riva, is a very evangelical act.  Third, he held a major ceremony at the chapel of a youth prison. In this account, he broke tradition by washing the feet of women and Muslims. Although he broke traditions, but we knew that it is not wrong. For me, he was only promoting peace between Muslims and Christians. Fourth, he snuck out of the Vatican to feed the homeless. In this account, it has been discovered that Pope Francis regularly leaves the Vatican at night to feed the homeless. In going there he dressed as an ordinary priest. Pope Francis somehow shows to the homeless that they are loved. These things somehow affect me because, as an aspiring priest, this is a great challenge to me on how to be with the people. I know that what he is doing is never easy, it takes courage and commitment. That’s why I’m very thankful that he is our pope, a pope who valued simplicity, humility, service and compassion.

            As I mentioned above, we are blessed because he will visit the Philippines, particularly Tacluban City which was severely devastated by the typhoon Yolanda. Mercy and Compassion. These two words are the reasons why Pope Francis will visit the Philippines. Mercy in the sense that he will meet  those people who are in great need, people who are sick or made homeless by the typhoon. And this is a relieved for the people because the great pope is with them amidst of all trials and difficulties in their lives. Pope Francis, indeed is the bringer of Christ. He is the hope of the people. He is very compassionate to those who suffered because of the typhoon Yolanda. And perhaps this visit of Pope Francis will remind us to be merciful and compassionate to others, especially to the lost, the last and the least.