LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) — Catholic faithful in Pangasinan are mourning the passing of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21.
In a heartfelt message, Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan remembered the Pope as “Lolo Kiko,” who embodied humility, compassion and courage.
Villegas said that Pope Francis was more than a spiritual leader; he was also a source of strength and hope for many Filipinos.
He shared how the Pope personally supported and encouraged him to remain steadfast in his prophetic mission during the times when he was mocked, ridiculed and threatened for his stand against the extrajudicial killings.
“He assured me and encouraged me personally in Rome to carry on my task in guiding the flock through my pastoral letters. He knew his bishops. He knew our tears and loved us. He taught us not to fear. We pray for Pope Francis,” he added.
Villegas also recalled how the Pope’s historic visit to the Philippines in 2015 remains a vivid and emotional memory for him.
“The rains and our tears of joy were mixed running down our cheeks. We knew that in him, Jesus was in our midst,” said Villegas in a statement released in a Facebook post.
The Archbishop’s message resonated deeply with many Catholics across the province.
One of them is Eva Visperas, a mother, who recalled how the news of the Pope’s death reached her that morning.
Just as she was about to leave her house, her son sent her a message that made her stop in her tracks.
“Have you heard the pealing of the Church bells? That’s because Pope Francis is dead,” she said.
Visperas said the moment brought stillness and reflection. Before even starting her car, she paused, bowed her head, and offered a quiet prayer – for the Pope’s soul and in gratitude for his life.
For Visperas, Pope Francis is “a reflection of Christ’s tenderness in our time.”
She said through the Pope’s humility, mercy, and love for the poor and forgotten, he reminded people what it means to love like Jesus.
Also expressing her sorrow about the passing of the Pope is 22-year-old Wynonna Villafania, a Catholic student from Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, who described the Pope as a great loss for the devoted Catholics like her.
“For years, he has become the voice of the victims, of refugees, and those who have been held captive by religion. He is fair in his mission because he considered other beliefs as well,” she said.
Mohamed Ardaniel Swandi, 28, a Born Again Christian from Binmaley, Pangasinan, also extended his sympathies to those mourning the passing of the Pope.
He said many are in sorrow, but his legacy of love lives on.
Swandi called Pope Francis a great loss to the world, noting how he led with humility, spoke with love, lived with compassion, and taught grace through silence.
He said the Pope reminded Pangasinenses like him that true faith is seen in how we treat others with mercy, kindness, and understanding.
According to the medical report released by the Vatican City State, the Pope died after suffering from a stroke that led to a coma and an irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. (CCMT/EMSA, PIA Pangasinan)
