Pope reaffirms love for Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - Pope Francis has reaffirmed his love for the Filipino faithful during the synod on the family in the Vatican, which concludes today.

This was according to Filipino bishops who had a brief encounter with the pontiff, who recalled his impression of the Filipino’s great faith and respect for elders.

“The Holy Father said ‘I have special admiration for the Filipinos,’” Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma quoted the pope as saying in a post on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines website.

“Basically, he is taking us as people of great faith,” he said.

Daet Bishop Gilbert Garcera, for his part, said the pope recalled with “great happiness” the “Lolo Kiko” nickname that Filipinos gave him.

“He was really laughing and was so happy about it,” Garcera said.

Palma said it created a good impression on the pope how the elderly are held in high regard in the Philippines.

“It’s a sign that I am appreciated. I am loved in the Philippines,” Pope Francis said, according to the Cebu prelate. 

Palma and Garcera were among six Filipinos out of 270 prelates and 18 couples from around the world who participated in the synod on the family.

Both added that results of the synod will highlight the church’s “great concern” for families and also address the many issues facing families in the modern world.

“It makes us aware of the realities of families. It makes us aware that efforts are being done all over the world,” said Palma, a former president of the CBCP.

“The church must accompany all people of God whoever they are. We are sinners but the church must be there to guide, to help, and to tell them that God will never ever abandon us. That is the point,” Garcera added, alluding to the matter of communion for divorced and remarried persons.

Among the issues raised in the synod, which started last Oct. 4, is the possibility of divorced and remarried Catholics to receive holy communion again as they are currently barred from doing so.

“What is important is that although they cannot receive communion, they are still part of the people of God,” Garcera said.

“No matter what condition you are in, the church must still take care of you because, basically, God will never abandon us no matter what,” he said.