Pope Francis receives ‘Lolo Kiko’ doll from Pinoy priest

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino priest studying in Rome gifted Pope Francis with a doll that resembles the pontiff in Rome’s cathedral last Thursday.      

Fr. Robert Young presented the “Lolo Kiko” doll to Pope Francis at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, according to CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

A photo posted on the Facebook page of Vatican Radio shows Pope Francis delighted while holding the doll given by Young.

Lolo Kiko was the nickname given by Filipinos to Pope Francis when he visited the Philippines in January last year.

Young, who is taking up his Doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, said he took the opportunity to give the doll to the 79-year-old pontiff.

Young said he had to cross security lines to be able to get near the pope.

The pontiff visited the cathedral for the annual meeting with the Roman clergy.

After his speech, Pope Francis excused himself as he had to prepare for his apostolic visit to Mexico. When the pontiff was walking down from the platform, Young ran and shouted “Santo Padre.”

The priest approached Pope Francis and said in Italian, “Here’s a gift for you, made in the Philippines by a friend of mine.”

The pope smiled and replied: “Oh Lolo Kiko! Is it for me?”

“I said, ‘yes’ and he replied, ‘grazie,’” Young, who belongs to the Prelature of Batanes, said.

Although it was just a brief encounter, the priest said it would be a lifetime memory for him.

“I was so happy. Pope Francis remembers the Philippines so well with Lolo Kiko. It was a once in a lifetime experience. It may not happen to me again,” Young said.

He said the doll came from a friend in Manila, who made the Lolo Kiko dolls as souvenirs for the papal visit.