Marcos honors Pope Francis: 'The best pope in my lifetime'

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' R. Marcos Jr. expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, who was affectionately known among Filipinos as "Lolo Kiko."

"Ibang klase si Pope Francis. That's really sad. I love this Pope. The best Pope in my lifetime as far as I'm concerned," President Marcos issued a statement on the sidelines of a meeting on Monday.

Marcos described the late Pope Francis as a "man of profound faith and humility" who "led not only with wisdom but with a heart open to all, especially the poor and the forgotten."

"The Philippines joins the Catholic community worldwide in grieving the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis," the President said.

"By example, Pope Francis taught us that to be a good Christian is to extend kindness and care to one another. His humility brought many back to the fold of the Church," he added.

Before his passing, Pope Francis appeared before the crowd at St. Peter's Square with a message of "Happy Easter."

The Vatican News announced the passing of Pope Francis at 7:35 AM (Vatican time) on Monday. He was 88.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis was elected Supreme Pontiff on March 13, 2013. He became the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the position.

"As we mourn his passing, we honor a life that brought hope and compassion to so many, and inspired us to love one another as Christ loved us. It is a profoundly sad day," Marcos said.

Pope Francis made a historic visit to the Philippines in 2015, following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013.

During his visit, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Manila Cathedral and the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas.

The Pontiff also held an emotional outdoor Mass in Tacloban City amid strong rains and winds brought about by an approaching storm.

In his encounters with Filipino priests, seminarians, religious community members, youth, and public leaders, Pope Francis spoke passionately about the centrality of the marginalized and dispossessed and the primacy of their needs in spreading the Gospel.

Malacañang said "Filipinos will always remember Pope Francis and his call to the Filipino faithful to reinvigorate daily their zeal to connect with and reach out to those in the margins, and to work collectively to protect the environment."