Dear Pope Francis, our deepest gratitude forever!

The more we read about his good deeds and words shared with so many all throughout the world, the more painful and difficult it is to accept that our dear Pope Francis has left our world.

Oh, how the whole world so loved him! Pope Francis was everyone’s Pope.

More intimately, he was a member of everyone’s family!

He was, is Lolo Kiko to millions of Filipinos who still remember how Pope Francis braved through a storm to get closer to the families of victims of the deadly Typhoon Yolanda, to be with them, to share his presence/concern/and love.

Where he had words for those that needed their pain/loss to be soothed, he lovingly/gently  offered them. Where he had no words to share, he embraced/kissed them.

And his prayers offered for all.

Just as humbly, from the very start of his papacy until his last day, he always asked everyone to always pray for him too.

By sharing his presence, concern, hugs and kisses for the “outcast” of this world, Pope Francis brought God closer in our midst.

Because Pope Francis showed the world his love, because of his humble/sincere example – how he (in word,/deed, in prayer/in silence) accepted everyone (especially the poor/ the prisoners/the sick/the disfigured/other marginalized) - now it is clearer, liberating as well for millions in this world not to fear, not to be afraid because now, they know more about God, His unconditional love, His mercy, compassion and salvation!!!

And was that not a complete but joyful surprise to see the Pope not only blessing but being with the crowd that Easter Sunday?

He did not have to but wasn’t that a beautiful, personal profound affirmation and proclamation from Pope Francis that truly, joyfully, our Lord Jesus Christ, has risen? That we are all saved because of our Lord’s Resurrection that followed His passion and cross?

He also loved our Lord so deeply – “it was as if he waited” to join the Lord on an Easter Monday so that all attention would rightly be with Our Lord during His redemptive Resurrection Sunday!!!

Pope Francis was also a true Shepherd of God’s flock. Despite his frail condition, he wanted to be present, to be with God’s sheep whom he deeply loved, rejoicing/celebrating the glorious Resurrection Day of our Lord!

In his last homily last Easter Sunday, some of his parting words for all:

"Christ is risen, alleluia! Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!

Today at last, the singing of the 'alleluia' is heard once more in the Church, passing from mouth to mouth, from heart to heart, and this makes the people of God throughout the world shed tears of joy.

From the empty tomb in Jerusalem, we hear unexpected good news: Jesus, who was crucified, 'is not here, he has risen' (Lk 24:5). Jesus is not in the tomb, he is alive!

Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness and truth over falsehood. Forgiveness has triumphed over revenge. Evil has not disappeared from history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer has the upper hand; it no longer has power over those who accept the grace of this day.

In the passion/death of Jesus, God has taken upon himself all the evil in this world and in his infinite mercy has defeated it. The Lamb of God is victorious! That is why, today, we can joyfully cry out: 'Christ, my hope, has risen!'

The resurrection of Jesus is indeed the basis of our hope. For in the light of this event, hope is no longer an illusion. Thanks to Christ — crucified and risen from the dead — hope does not disappoint! Spes non confundit! (cf. Rom 5:5). That hope is not an evasion, but a challenge - "Christ is risen, alleluia!”