In faith and resilience: Remembering the 2015 papal visit
LOOK: Pope Francis receives a gift during is visit to the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on January 18, 2015. Pope Francis later celebrated mass with millions of singing and cheering Catholics in the Philippine capital, in one of the world's biggest outpourings of papal devotion.
AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE
UPDATE: Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88, just a day after making a surprise appearance at Saint Peter's Square for Easter Sunday. The Vatican confirmed his death in a statement, with Cardinal Kevin Farrell expressing "deep sorrow" over the loss. His passing came shortly after he had shown signs of recovery from a recent severe illness.
With recent news of Pope Francis' health struggles making headlines, it feels like the right moment to look back on his unforgettable 2015 visit to the Philippines. For millions of Filipinos, it wasn’t just a historic event, it was a deeply personal encounter with faith, unity, and hope.
As prayers pour in from around the world for his recovery, it’s hard not to reflect on the powerful moments that brought the nation together. His visit was more than just a milestone; it was a reminder of the strength that comes from faith and the resilience that defines the Filipino spirit.
This aerial handout photo taken and released by the Philippine Air Force Public Information Office on January 18, 2015 shows millions of faithful attending a mass at a park by Pope Francis during his visit to Manila. Pope Francis celebrated mass with millions of singing and cheering Catholics in the Philippine capital on January 18, in one of the world's biggest outpourings of papal devotion.
AFP PHOTO / Philippine Air Force Public Information Office
Growing up in a devout Catholic household meant that faith wasn’t just a Sunday routine; it was the foundation of life. The values we carried shaped how we lived, what we believed, and even how we faced life’s challenges. A testament to my family’s devotion? My younger sister was named “Pauline,” born on 8 April 2005, the very day of Pope John Paul II’s funeral. It felt as if fate had tied her arrival to a figure so revered in the Catholic world.
Faith played an even bigger role in my life during my teenage years, especially as a choir member in a Catholic school for four years. Singing hymns was more than just hitting the right notes; it was about feeling every word, every prayer, and every piece of devotion pouring out in music. When news broke that Pope Francis would visit the Philippines, a nation where Christianity runs deep, it wasn’t just news. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
