Manila Cathedral opens space for Pope Francis

The management of the Manila Cathedral announced on Tuesday that it has opened a designated space for devotees to mourn and offer prayers for Pope Francis.

In a statement, the Manila Cathedral said that the Christ the King Chapel has been dedicated for devotees to leave candles and offer prayers from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, the cathedral said.

“It’s a good time for us to be a witness to the life and the ministry of this man. I know he has touched our hearts,” said Manila Cathedral Vice Rector Fr. Vicente Gabriel Bautista.

He encouraged devotees to visit their parish churches to give thanks for the late pope’s leadership.

“The shock is still there, and the grieving… The shock is there, so is the pain. Despite there being sadness, a lot of people are still grateful for the messages of his ministry,” Bautista said.

Millions of Filipino devotees worldwide are mourning the pope’s death, particularly after his 2015 visit to the Philippines.

On Monday, the Manila Cathedral rang its church bells at 6 p.m. to signify the pope’s death.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, during a Mass for the Eternal Repose of his Soul on Tuesday morning, called on Filipino Catholics to heed Pope Francis’ call to be “smugglers of faith.”