The pope and the Philippines

The Supreme Leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has been in and out of the hospital due to several health issues. Days ago, he finally passed on at the age of 88, and his death signals the conclave, which will bring together all eligible cardinals (those below 80 years of age) to be chosen by fellow cardinals to replace the late pope.

There were many interesting and somewhat new aspects in the election of Pope Francis after the death of John Paul II. Francis was the first Jesuit to be chosen pope and the first Latin American cardinal elevated to the papacy. Technically, however, while born in South America, both parents of Pope Francis were born Italian and meant an Italian had taken over the papacy after John Paul II's death. I was also intrigued at the election of Francis as pope since he was also the first Jesuit to become pope. As a Jesuit-educated person, I knew that the Jesuits were more liberal that other religious orders. And in my opinion, he didn’t disappoint. Francis instituted many changes in policies and practices in the Vatican, making things more liberal and brining the Vatican to the twenty-first century.

There have only been three popes to have visited the Philippines, the first being Pope Paul VI in 1970, the second Pope John Paul II in 1981 and then in 1995. The last to visit in modern times was Pope Francis, in 2015, thus endearing him even more to the Filipinos.

The first papal visit to the Philippines was in 1970, when Paul VI included the Philippines as part of his countries to be visited. This was a momentous event for the Philippines because it was also the visit when the pontiff was a victim of an assassination attempt. On November 27, 1970, Pope Paul VI narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at the Manila Airport by a Bolivian artist Benjamín Mendoza y Amor Flores. Mendoza, dressed as a priest, lunged at the Pope with a dagger, striking him twice in the neck and once in the chest.

“Pope Paul VI had arrived in the Philippines to close the final session of the Asian Bishops Conference, which was held at the University of Santo Tomas. The 5-day session sought to find ways to A) energize the Catholic Church in Asia, B) find solutions to the problems of students who seek greater relevance from the Church vis-a-vis the problems of the poor, and C) examine how the people of Asia can be developed with the help of the Church. Despite the assassination attempt, the Pope had been very warmly received in all the areas he visited.

“Official reports say there had been advance warnings that ultra-militant students, particularly those associated and influenced by the philosophies of Red China, would picket and otherwise cause disruptions during the visit of the Pope. Nevertheless, the Pontiff’s visit continues without major incident except for difficulties brought on by the destruction in Manila due to Typhoon Yoling.

“Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos had given Pope Paul VI a written apology for the attack at the Manila Airport and Paul VI visited President and Mrs. Marcos at Malacañang. There, the Pontiff and Pres. Marcos held private talks. A formal giving of gifts then was followed by brief statements.

“The Philippine’s official records say that the Bolivian artist who came from Baguio to try and assassinate Pope Paul VI as he arrived was captured and held by the Manila police. The Pope had forgiven him and has blessed the crucifix that held the hidden ink knife that was to have been used against the Pope. Mrs. Marcos found the crucifix near the Papal plane.”

The upcoming conclave has also excited Filipino Catholics. In almost all analysis, many believe that Cardinal Luis Tagle from the Philippines has a very strong chance of becoming the next pope.

Vaya con Dios, Pope Francis.