The past few days have been very insightful. It has been days filled with so much reflection, contemplation and introspection. After all, the last few days were out of the ordinary… it was special and historic. Last Thursday, the whole country was filled with excitement with the long-awaited 5-day visit of His Holiness Pope Francis. It was time.

The air was very different – good different. It’s almost like everyone’s hearts are starting to open again – letting the bad memories of yesteryears out and making room for the good, and beautiful, memories to come in. It was this bittersweet feeling of release that bound people together for the first time in a very long time.

When the flag carrier of Sri Lanka landed in Villamor Air Base, people were beyond happy and up on their feet. As for me, I was glued to the tube – being far away and all. But one thing for sure we all had in common, we were all giddy. People from all walks of life could not just hold their excitement intact.


As soon as the plane door opened, there He was. Pope Francis – right before our very eyes on Philippine soil. The sound of jubilation was just hard to put into words – to say it was palpable was an understatement. My heart was practically jumping with so much happiness that also made me tear up a bit – something I haven’t felt in a very, very long time.

Just like His usual demeanor, He brings this amazing energy when He is around people. He smiles… He chats with people… He waves at them… He listens… He laughs and cracks a joke or two… And best of all, He leads by example. His presence is invigorating and He is full of beautiful surprises.

A few years ago, it was really hard to imagine, and find, a person that came close to Pope Francis. Those were the years that people were filled with so much cynicism and skepticism. Those were tough years – filled with hopelessness and a complete loss of moral compass. It was almost like people were resigned and accepted the bad things as they were.


But when Pope Francis came along – everyone became alive again. It felt like His arrival came at a critical time when people were losing their purpose. His unorthodox and unpredictable ways caught everyone by surprise. Everyone was starting to get energized and renewed by this sudden whiff of fresh air.

His visit in the Philippines made the start of 2015 a promising one. He was flocked with immense amount of people wherever He goes – and that’s no surprise. From the airport to the Apostolic Nunciature and back again. People could not get enough of His presence. And the people’s presence and reception are what also kept him energized. It was an amazing dynamic.

What made me admire Him more is His hands-on way of touching people’s lives. He lives according to His means. His messages of hope and love, mercy and compassion are compelling especially with His acute grasp of the gripping social realities that people are faced with. People are now examining their conscience and have brought a renewal of faith in their lives.

As the 5-day visit have successfully wrapped up and with Pope Francis safely back in Rome, He has left us with so much inspiring words and consoling affection. We continue to pray for Him and most especially to God and at the same time, this is where our work begins…

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 Photos via NAFCOM, CJ