A chalice gifted by the late Pope Francis during his 2015 visit to Leyte was used in a memorial Mass at the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral, a poignant commemoration of the pontiff’s legacy following his death at age 88 on April 21.
Annie Cordero Corpin, a school head and resident servant of the Family of God’s Little Children, the covenant community that organized pilgrims for Pope Francis’ visit, recalled her profound experience seeing him up close.
“I admired Pope Francis so much as a person because Jesus Christ is impersonated in his persona. He was so humble, so sincere, and so loving,” Corpin said.
Following Pope Francis’ passing, declared a period of national mourning in the Philippines through Presidential Proclamation No. 871 until his burial on April 26, the people of Leyte gathered in prayer at the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral, presided over by Palo Archbishop John Du.
“I felt sad at his passing, but at the same time, I also felt a deep sense of surrender, that hopefully, he will go to rest and to eternal life. I have re-read one of his teachings about death, that we should not fear it. So, instead, I thank God that He has given us Pope Francis,” Corpin added.
Khombe Amado, 22, traveled 76 kilometers from Kananga, Leyte, to personally pay his respects, cherishing his memory of seeing Pope Francis up close in 2015.
“Ako’y syempre nalulungkot sa kanyang pagpanaw, sapagkat siya lang ang tanging Santo Papa na pinakita niya sa buong mundo ang kanyang kababaang loob, at nawa’y sundin ng mga tao ang lahat ng ginawa niyang mabuti,” Amado said, expressing sadness over the loss of a Pope known for his humility. (I am of course saddened by his passing, because he was the only Pope who showed the whole world his humility, and I hope people would follow all the good he did.)
To formally commemorate Pope Francis’ legacy, the chalice he gifted during his visit was prominently used during the Mass. Other artifacts associated with the Pope were also preserved, including an exact replica of the Nativity scene from the Vatican, safely displayed in a glass box, and the tableware he used when sharing a meal with survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda and the Bohol earthquake.
Pilgrims like Corpin and Amado prayed that the next pontiff would continue Pope Francis’ legacy of being close to the marginalized.
“Pope Francis being with us that time was a profound way of God telling us that he loves me and all the people. He did not get anything for himself, yet he did everything for others,” Corpin reflected. (JKPA/PIA Leyte)
