The Tuesday after Easter is a day when Catholics traditionally gather to celebrate Jesus
But this service in Manila was also about remembering the man who led the Catholic Church for nearly 12 years
In the Philippines, Pope Francis was fondly known as Lolo or Grandpa Kiko
In 2015, when I saw Pope Francis up close, I felt his paternal love
And for me, his face looked holy. Many others here also describe what they say was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the Pope
Filipino Catholics remember Pope Francis best for his visit to the Philippines in 2015
The first Mass he officiated then was at this church. So it's only fitting that a memorial led by Manila's Archbishop has been held here at the Manila Cathedral a day after his passing
But even outside the Philippines, widely known as the heart of Catholicism in Asia
people across the region are in mourning. Pope Francis has prayed for South Korea
when the Sewol-Ferry tragedy happened or whenever we are having difficulties. I am sincerely grateful for that. In Indonesia, home to the world's largest
Muslim population, people paid their final respects at the Vatican Embassy. I like his simplicity. When he came to Indonesia, he stayed at the Vatican Embassy
not in a five-star hotel. The Pope also taught everyone to love
Pope Francis visited Indonesia in 2024 as part of a 12-day tour of Asia that included countries
where Catholics were a minority. In the Philippines, Pope Francis insisted on meeting
typhoon survivors, even though it meant giving Mass in a raincoat in the pouring rain. In Asia
it's clear Francis is remembered as the People's Pope. Barnabulo, Al Jazeera, Manila
Thank you