‘Grandpa Francis’: Philippines Mourns the Pope Who Braved a Typhoon

As church bells echoed across cities and villages, and portraits of Pope Francis were placed beside flickering candles in homes and cathedrals, the Philippines mourns Pope Francis—or Lolo Kiko as he was affectionately called. The Argentine-born pontiff, who passed away at age 88, left behind a legacy deeply etched into the hearts of 80 million Filipino Catholics.

🌧️ A Mass in a Storm: The Moment That Defined His Papacy in Asia

In January 2015, just two years into his papacy, Pope Francis made a defining visit to Tacloban, a city ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan, which had claimed more than 6,000 lives in 2013. Despite organizers warning against the dangers of an off-season typhoon, Francis boarded a flight from Manila and held an open-air Mass in a storm.

Drenched in a simple plastic poncho, the pope stood on a makeshift stage as gusts of wind whipped through swaying palm trees and soaked the faithful. Many in the crowd wept—not just from grief, but from gratitude.

“So many of you have lost everything… I can only be silent. I accompany you silently, with my heart,” he told the crowd.

💔 A Personal Tragedy During a Sacred Visit

The Mass was not without sorrow. A steel scaffolding collapsed, killing 27-year-old aid worker Kristel Padasas. Her father, Paul Padasas Jr, recounted how the Pope invited him to the Apostolic Nunciature the next day.

There, the grieving father was embraced by Pope Francis, who prayed over him and offered heartfelt condolences.

“I felt something like an electric current going through my body,” Paul said. “That must be what the Holy Spirit feels like.”

The meeting brought peace to a devastated family and added another chapter to the Pope’s legacy of deep compassion.

🕯️ A Nation Reflects and Remembers

Across the archipelago, Pope Francis is being mourned with memorial Masses, candlelit vigils, and personal tributes. For many, his papacy represented a shift toward a more inclusive and compassionate church.

“He is my favourite pope,” said Renzie Sarmiento, a 19-year-old nursing student and member of the LGBTQ+ community.
“He represented the love of Jesus Christ for all. I hope his successor continues his openness.”

Even Rodrigo Duterte, who once infamously cursed the pope over traffic caused by his visit, later softened his stance. Today, Pope Francis remains a symbol of humility and service to many Filipinos.

🇵🇭 Hopes for a Filipino Pope

With the papal conclave on the horizon, attention has turned to the five eligible Filipino cardinals, especially Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle—seen by many as a spiritual heir to Francis.

Nicknamed the “Asian Francis,” Tagle is a Vatican insider and a social media-savvy figure whose warmth resonates with younger Catholics. He traveled with the Pope during his last visit to Southeast Asia and is widely considered a frontrunner.

“If Cardinal Tagle becomes pope, it would be like seeing Francis reborn,” said Paul Padasas.
“How many people can say they met two popes in one lifetime?”

👑 Legacy of the People’s Pope

From his impromptu visit during a typhoon to his stand for the marginalized, Pope Francis left an indelible mark on the Philippines—a nation where faith shapes daily life, politics, and community identity.

His 2015 Mass at Luneta Park, attended by an estimated six million people, remains the largest papal gathering in history—an unmatched outpouring of devotion.

Now, as millions grieve, there is also hope. Hope that the spirit of Lolo Kiko will live on in the next chapter of the Church.

“Please welcome Pope Francis in heaven,” Paul Padasas prayed at his family altar.
He still keeps the rosary the Pope gave him. “I wouldn’t sell it even for a million dollars.”