A profound loss not just for Catholics but for all of humanity. This was how former Senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson mourned the death of Pope Francis earlier this week.
Lacson said in a radio interview Thursday that Pope Francis – Jorge Mario Bergoglio – has become a symbol of love, hope and humility not just through his words but also through his actions.
“Pope Francis’ death is a profound loss not only for Catholics but for the whole world and for humanity. The Pope became a symbol of love, hope and humility most of all,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, in an interview on Bombo Radyo.
Related: Ping Lacson, Ikinalungkot ang Pagyao ni Pope Francis: Malaking Kawalan para sa Sangkatauhan
He cited stories told by common people about the Pope, including him choosing to live in his own small apartment instead of the Cardinal’s residence, and riding the bus to work.
Even in death, his remains lie in an open wooden coffin instead of having coffins of cypress, lead and oak – in keeping with his push to simplify the papal rites.
In the Philippines, Pope Francis touched the lives of Filipinos, particularly those affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda, when he went to Leyte despite stormy weather conditions to celebrate Mass with the survivors during his papal visit in 2015.
Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, also visited families in areas hit by Yolanda – a gesture appreciated by residents.
“He is quite a rare person in performing his holy duty. He was very consistent. That’s why many were saddened by his passing. His death is a big, big profound loss for humanity,” Lacson said.
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Ping Lacson, Ikinalungkot ang Pagyao ni Pope Francis: Malaking Kawalan para sa Sangkatauhan
Isang malaking kawalan hindi lamang para sa mga Katoliko kundi sa sangkatauhan. Ito ang paglarawan ni dating Senador at 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa pagkamatay ni Pope Francis nitong Lunes.
Ani Lacson sa panayam nitong Huwebes na ang Santo Papa – o si Jorge Mario Bergoglio – ay naging simbolo ng pag-ibig, pag-asa at pagpapakumbaba na kanyang pinakita hindi lang sa salita kundi sa gawa.
“A profound loss not only for Catholics but for the whole world and for humanity. Si Pope naging symbol ng love, hope and humility most of all,” aniya sa panayam sa Bombo Radyo Philippines.
Dagdag ni Lacson, marami nang kwento tungkol sa pagpapakumbaba ni Pope Francis, kabilang ang pagpili niyang manirahan sa maliit na apartment imbes na sa Cardinal’s residence, at sa pagsakay ng bus papunta sa trabaho.
Nang namatay na siya, ang labi niya ay inilagay sa bukas na kabaong gawa sa kahoy, at hindi sa mamahaling materyal tulad ng cypress, lead at oak – alinsunod sa nais niyang gawing payak ang papal rites.
Sa Pilipinas, maraming nakakaalala sa pakikiisa ni Pope Francis sa mga nasalanta ng Super Typhoon Yolanda, dahil noong papal visit niya dito noong 2015, pumunta pa siya sa Leyte at nagmisa sa kabila ng masamang panahon dulot ng bagyo.
Binisita pa ng Santo Papa – na yumao nitong Lunes sa edad na 88 – ang mga pamilyang nasalanta ng Yolanda.
“Pambihirang tao sa narating ng kanyang holy duty pagiging pari. Napaka-consistent, kaya talagang maraming nalulungkot. Yun nga. Talagang big, big, profound loss talaga sa humanity,” ani Lacson.
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