![“I call upon our faithful in the Archdiocese to offer prayers for his [Pope Francis] eternal repose. What remains now is to continue to pursue the dream he cultivated — that God is near and journeys with us," says Jaro Archbishop Midyphil Billones. JARO METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL PHOTO](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/archbishop_1_resized-696x463.jpg "archbishop_1_resized")
ILOILO City — Archbishop Midyphil Billones has called upon the faithful of the Archdiocese of Jaro to offer prayers for the eternal repose of Pope Francis, who passed away at 7:35 a.m. (Vatican time) on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88.
The Pope died in his residence at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.
In a statement, Billones expressed the grief of the local Catholic community, stating, “We mourn his death because of our deep love, yet we celebrate with gratitude his life and ministry that has touched and blessed all of us.”
He noted the significance of the Pope’s passing on Easter Monday, or Lunedi di Angelo, a day celebrated for its connection to renewal and hope.
“I call upon our faithful in the Archdiocese to offer prayers for his eternal repose. What remains now is to continue to pursue the dream he cultivated — that God is near and journeys with us,” Billones said.
He highlighted the Pope’s legacy of synodality, the call for a Church that generates hope and compassion, which will continue to inspire the faithful.
In reflecting on Pope Francis’ impactful life, Archbishop Billones praised the Pope’s dedication to the marginalized, including his commitment to the environment, migrant rights, and those suffering from abuse.
“In his ministry, God is someone who kisses the feet of prisoners, who cries at the anguish of victims of abuse, who cares for the environment as our common home, and who walks closely beside the wounded believers. Synodality was not a program, it was his way of life!” Billones said.
The Archbishop also noted Pope Francis’ humility, choosing a simple burial as a final act of solidarity with the poor.
Pope Francis’ death followed complications from a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
According to an official medical report from Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure due to multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, bronchiectasis, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes. The cause of death was confirmed by electrocardiographic thanatography./PN