It is nearly two years ago when the highest spiritual leader of the Catholic church was declared in the name of "Pope Francis: The New World Pontiff" from Buenos Aires. I admire his qualities as a leader and I believe that Christ is with him in the new role that he is taking.
The pope is showing his love and compassion to everyone regardless of profile, race, and creed. He exudes charisma and attracts people with his gentleness and humility. These qualities make him adorable and capable of leading his global followers in the name of Christ.
Pope Francis has concern for humanity especially with the current events in the world like wars, terrorism, and political and religious differences. However, he is also concerned about poverty in the spirit of the people where there is a lack of love, care, and attention. He cares for the poor, the homeless, the abandoned, and the orphan who are lacking spiritual enlightenment.
The world is currently experiencing a lot of chaos and obstacles from natural and man-made calamities and disasters and millions of people have become a victim of this untoward catastrophe that can be considered as an act of God.
The Philippines is not spared from the destruction since we are now suffering from the effects of climate change leading to stronger typhoons that hit our country. Although we suffer from these deadly earth changes, still we have shown to the world "The Resilience of the Filipino Spirit: A Year After Typhoon Yolanda". Perhaps the most destructive and emotional occurrence in our Philippine history when we lost thousands of individuals, hundreds of families, and left many injured and in deep sorrow and solitude.
The Filipinos are blessed for the visit of Pope Francis to the country. He shows mercy and compassion to those who are victims of calamities. He shows concern and comforted the poor families who almost lost faith and the will to live. He cared for the abandoned children. He cared for the sick people. He expressed attention and love to all.
It was an opportunity and a blessing to have celebrated the mass with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Manila Cathedral on January 16. It was the first mass he celebrated in the country and he was greeted by thousands of pilgrims. It was a great feeling to hear live from the Pope and I will forever cherish the moment when I have endured the pain together with other pilgrims to witness and receive blessings from God.
There's wisdom in every message that Pope Francis has shared with the people. In his mass at Tacloban, he asked the people to pray for him and to be quiet. Such a very simple message, yet it has a deeper meaning. He needs prayer that he may be able to reach out to more people and share the Gospel of Christ; to share Christian values and virtues; to lead and guide people in their spiritual path. These are some of the realizations when we are in silence, when we contemplate and reflect on ourselves and when we constantly renew ourselves for the better.
In his message to the youth at the University of Santo Tomas, the Pope shared what he called the three languages; the mind, heart, and hands. It is when we use our intellect, conscience, and right actions that we are truly Christian. He also reminded the youth not to bury their talents that are God-given and not to be afraid to dream of great things.
In his concluding mass at Quirino Grandstand, Pope Francis celebrated it together with the faithful and the millions of pilgrims coming from different places in the Philippines and the world. He brought the light among his people. When it is cloudy, he brought the sunshine. His smile brought hope and confidence to everyone. He brought the message of Christ to be instilled in the minds and hearts of the people.
It is truly a wonderful moment to receive the blessings of the Holy Father. He will forever be in our hearts and the Filipino people will be praying for him. Like the holy child, we will be a follower of God's message of love as evident by what His Holiness has shown to us. Christ is with us and we will carry the light to spread to the world, today and in eternal life.
© 2015 Del Cusay
Pope Francis has concern for humanity especially with the current events in the world like wars, terrorism, and political and religious differences. However, he is also concerned about poverty in the spirit of the people where there is a lack of love, care, and attention. He cares for the poor, the homeless, the abandoned, and the orphan who are lacking spiritual enlightenment.
The world is currently experiencing a lot of chaos and obstacles from natural and man-made calamities and disasters and millions of people have become a victim of this untoward catastrophe that can be considered as an act of God.
The Philippines is not spared from the destruction since we are now suffering from the effects of climate change leading to stronger typhoons that hit our country. Although we suffer from these deadly earth changes, still we have shown to the world "The Resilience of the Filipino Spirit: A Year After Typhoon Yolanda". Perhaps the most destructive and emotional occurrence in our Philippine history when we lost thousands of individuals, hundreds of families, and left many injured and in deep sorrow and solitude.
The Filipinos are blessed for the visit of Pope Francis to the country. He shows mercy and compassion to those who are victims of calamities. He shows concern and comforted the poor families who almost lost faith and the will to live. He cared for the abandoned children. He cared for the sick people. He expressed attention and love to all.
It was an opportunity and a blessing to have celebrated the mass with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Manila Cathedral on January 16. It was the first mass he celebrated in the country and he was greeted by thousands of pilgrims. It was a great feeling to hear live from the Pope and I will forever cherish the moment when I have endured the pain together with other pilgrims to witness and receive blessings from God.
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| At the Manila Cathedral |
There's wisdom in every message that Pope Francis has shared with the people. In his mass at Tacloban, he asked the people to pray for him and to be quiet. Such a very simple message, yet it has a deeper meaning. He needs prayer that he may be able to reach out to more people and share the Gospel of Christ; to share Christian values and virtues; to lead and guide people in their spiritual path. These are some of the realizations when we are in silence, when we contemplate and reflect on ourselves and when we constantly renew ourselves for the better.
In his message to the youth at the University of Santo Tomas, the Pope shared what he called the three languages; the mind, heart, and hands. It is when we use our intellect, conscience, and right actions that we are truly Christian. He also reminded the youth not to bury their talents that are God-given and not to be afraid to dream of great things.
In his concluding mass at Quirino Grandstand, Pope Francis celebrated it together with the faithful and the millions of pilgrims coming from different places in the Philippines and the world. He brought the light among his people. When it is cloudy, he brought the sunshine. His smile brought hope and confidence to everyone. He brought the message of Christ to be instilled in the minds and hearts of the people.
It is truly a wonderful moment to receive the blessings of the Holy Father. He will forever be in our hearts and the Filipino people will be praying for him. Like the holy child, we will be a follower of God's message of love as evident by what His Holiness has shown to us. Christ is with us and we will carry the light to spread to the world, today and in eternal life.
