ILOILO City – Shock and sorrow swept through Iloilo’s religious and civic communities following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at 7:35 a.m. (Vatican time) yesterday, April 21, at the age of 88 in his official residence at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo or administrator of the Vatican’s Apostolic Chamber, officially announced the pope’s death and offered a heartfelt tribute: “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church… especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized.”
Locally, the Archdiocese of Jaro led the expressions of grief.
“We are saddened by the passing of Pope Francis, whom we regard as a father and leader of the Church,” said Reverend Father Angelo Colada, director of the archdiocese’s Social Communication Office.
Colada noted that Pope Francis’ last public appearance was just this Easter Sunday, April 20 – he appeared in St. Peter’s Square to wish “Happy Easter” to thousands of worshippers – which made his death even more unexpected to many faithful.
The Pope, an Argentinian, became the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church after the resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, in 2013.
Colada believed the pontiff’s long-standing health condition — particularly his battle with pneumonia — may have finally taken its toll.
The Pope was hospitalized for over a month since February and was discharged just this Marc h 23.
“Despite his sickness, we saw his commitment to serve. He was beloved for his simplicity, his heart for the poor and oppressed, and his openness to listen to the concerns of the people,” Colada added.
The Archdiocese of Jaro is still awaiting guidance from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on specific observances, but Father Colada urged the faithful to include the late Pope in their prayers and Mass intentions.
Among the prayers offered was this supplication:
“O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
This is camerlengo Cardinal Farrell’s complete official statement on the Pope’s passing:
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
Ilonggo Leaders React
Top officials in Iloilo also paid tribute to the late pontiff.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Pope Francis on this Easter Monday. He was a true servant of God who inspired the world with his humility, compassion, and love for the poor and forgotten,” said Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas.
“Pope Francis brought the Church closer to the people and he reminded us to live simply, love greatly, and serve others with kindness. He taught us the value of an inclusive Church, a Church for all,” added Treñas.
Iloilo Province’s Vice Gov. Christine Garin also expressed disbelief, having just seen the Pope on television during the Easter Sunday service.
Iloilo City’s Councilor Dr. Candice Tupas and husband, former councilor Lex Tupas, who had the opportunity to meet the pope during a visit to the Vatican, shared photos of the encounter and said, “We thank him for all that he has done for the Roman Catholic world.”
The Uswag Ilonggo Party-list issued its own statement:
“With a heavy heart, we join the Roman Catholic community in mourning the loss of Pope Francis — a shepherd who walked humbly, spoke boldly, and loved deeply.”
Cong. Julienne Baronda of Iloilo City described Pope Francis as a beloved shepherd whose words and actions gave hope to the voiceless. “The heart you put into your papacy will be etched in our thoughts for as long as we live, our beloved Pope,” she said.
State of Health
Pope Francis was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospitalin the Vatican on February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
His clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on February 18.
After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
In 1957, in his early 20s, the then Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection.
As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
Capiznon Cardinal Mourns
Capiz Province native Cardinal Jose Advincula, the archbishop of Manila, said, “Together with our universal Church and all persons of goodwill, we mourn his death.”
Advincula, whom Pope Francis made a cardinal in 2021 when the former was bishop of the Diocese of Roxas, recalled the pontiff’s pastoral visit to the Philippines in 2015, calling it “a moment of grace forever etched in our national memory.”
“Under the rain in Tacloban, standing with the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, Pope Francis showed us what it means to suffer with others and find hope in the midst of pain. In Luneta, as he celebrated the Holy Eucharist with millions, he embraced our joy, our faith, and our longing for a Church that walks with its people,” he said.
Pope Francis designated Advincula the archbishop of Manila also in 2021.
“Throughout his pontificate, our Lolo Kiko was a true father to us and has continued to show his love for the Philippines — not only through words, but through actions. He appointed many of our shepherds — including three cardinals and many bishops — who share his heart for service, simplicity, and dialogue… May we always be, as he called us to be, ‘smugglers of the faith’, carrying the light of Christ to every corner of the earth,” said Advincula.
Funeral
In April 2024, Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide his funeral Mass which has yet to be announced.
The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.
The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasize even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”
Profile
Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936. The eldest of five children, his parents had fled their native Italy to escape the evils of fascism.
He enjoyed tango dancing and became a supporter of his local football club, San Lorenzo.
He was lucky to escape with his life after a serious bout of pneumonia, undergoing an operation to remove part of a lung. It would leave him susceptible to infection throughout his life.
As an elderly man he also suffered from pain in his right knee, which he described as a “physical humiliation”.
The young Bergoglio worked as a nightclub bouncer and floor sweeper, before graduating as a chemist.
At a local factory, he worked closely with Esther Ballestrino, who campaigned against Argentina’s military dictatorship. She was tortured, her body never found.
He became a Jesuit, studied philosophy and taught literature and psychology. He was ordained priest a decade later./PN
