Catholic Pinoys in UAE offer prayers, set up 'Remembrance Corner' for Pope Francis

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, a profound wave of grief and prayer has spread throughout the Catholic communities around the globe.

In Abu Dhabi, this sentiment has taken a heartfelt form beyond the traditional mass offerings where a special Remembrance Corner has been set up inside the St. Joseph Cathedral to honor the memory of the beloved pontiff.

Flowering plants and a huge, framed photograph of the Pope adorned the Remembrance Corner which symbolizes a collective expression of loss and reverence.

The solemn setting offers the faithful a place to reflect, pray and pay tribute to the life and service of Pope Francis.

Jessa Albao, a logistics professional, told GMA Integrated News that the death of Pope Francis left a void in her heart.

Albao, who hails from Cavite, is one of those Filipino Catholics who visited the Remembrance Corner to offer a prayer for the late pontiff.

“Just like many of us, we all feel sad about the death of our beloved Pope. He was a symbol of kindness, love, compassion & empathy. I was drawn to his teachings and try to follow his advice whenever I can,” Albao said.

Raquel Arsenio Caseno, a civil engineer, also lit a candle and offered a solemn prayer to the eternal repose of the pontiff’s soul.

Caseno told GMA Integrated News in a separate interview that the death of Pope Francis is a great loss, but his legacy will continue to inspire every Catholic to follow his teachings.

“Such a very humble, compassionate and kind person. The reason why I am here is to pay my last respect to the Catholic leader who unified us through his love,” she said.

Richelle Dayo Rondilla, a civil engineer from Laguna, recalled how the Pope welcomed everyone during his visit to Abu Dhabi City in February 2019.

Rondilla said the late pope made an impact in her life for his humbling yet powerful stance on many issues particularly defending those marginalized and the poor.

She plans to visit the Remembrance Corner to offer a candle and prayer to the late pope who has inspired her to be true to herself.

“He was not just very charming and kind, but he was very accepting. He accepted everyone regardless of status and preference in life. He made me feel accepted; he’s always very vocal about defending the poor, the marginalized, the discriminated sector, encouraging everyone to be accepting and tolerant. He will be missed,” she said.

Rondilla is hopeful that the next Catholic leader will carry on the legacy of Pope Francis and will be the voice of many.

“Pope Francis was a big loss. He was very vocal yet kind and humble. He manifests his true person and sincerity in his actions. We hope and pray for the next Pope to be like him,” stressed.

Mirafil Mendoza-Calag, who fails from Cebu and a Couples for Christ (CFC) leader, with her family during Pope Francis's visit in Abu Dhabi in 2019. Contributed photo

Mirafil Calag, a Couple for Christ (CFC) leader who is from Cebu, shared with GMA Integrated News how humbling her experience was when she and her daughter served the late Pope during his 2019 visit in the capital.

Calag said she served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Communion, while her eldest daughter, Mary Aliyah Denise, was an altar server.

She said meeting the pope was so memorable to her because his presence alone reawakened in her a deeper sense of devotion.

“During the pope’s visit, my daughter and I had the great honor of serving – I as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and my eldest, Mary Aliyah Denise, as an altar server. It was a sacred moment we shared as mother and daughter, united in faith and service before God and His Church,” Calag said.

She added, “As a wife, mother of four, catechist, and someone serving the community and the Church while working as an ordinary employee, that moment allowed me to rediscover my purpose and mission. It reminded me that every role I hold – no matter how simple or unseen – is part of a greater calling. His presence reawakened me in a deeper sense of devotion and brought clarity to how I live out my faith and serve others with joy, humility and love.”

Calag said that she felt deep sadness upon learning the pontiff’s death as she was expecting to meet him again next month at the CFC Global Conference in Rome.

“Tears fell as I whispered a prayer – mourning not only the loss but the missed chance to see him again next month at the CFC Global Conference in Rome. I had hoped to join the Papal Audience and experience that grace once more. But as I reflect, I see that our brief encounter in 2019 was already a lasting gift. His legacy of love, humility, and service continues to light my path – just as he led us by the light of Christ’s love,” Calag said.

Cyrel Manzano, a mother of two who hails from Iligan, told GMA Integrated News that she preserved the souvenirs she brought during Pope Francis’ visit to Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Among those she will treasure are the caps, shirts and bags that bore his face while teaching her two children to continue living the values espoused by the late pontiff.

An industrial engineer, Manzano said she will pray for the next Pope to be like the late pontiff even rooting for Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to be the next Catholic leader.

“We never used the souvenirs we brought during the Pope’s visit in Abu Dhabi, we will preserve them as long as we live. I am always reminding my children who are here with me to always follow his teachings. They too are very sad because they love him,” Manzano said.

“Our family is praying for the pope and the next leader. We hope the next Pope will be like Pope Francis. I even personally pray our Filipino cardinal will be chosen as the next Catholic leader,” she added.

Catholic groups such as CFC have also taken steps to encourage remembrance, calling on their members to include Pope Francis in their daily prayers and to reflect on the values he championed —humility, compassion, and unity.

Ridel Lape, an HR professional based in Abu Dhabi, told GMA Integrated News that she received a message in their group chat urging the members to offer prayers for the eternal repose of Pope Francis.

As a devout Catholic and also a member of the CFC, a Catholic ay movement, Lape said she felt sad upon hearing the news of the pope’s death.

“The legacy of Pope Francis will live on not just in the Church but in every act of kindness and mercy we show one another. We felt deep sadness asone of the highest leaders of the Church has died. We pray for his soul, may he rest in peace, and we are thankful for his contributions, all his efforts and the holy advice he gave to his flock,” Lape said.

The global Catholic community continues to mourn and honor Pope Francis, whose leadership and deep empathy touched millions.

Aside from the memorial mass held at the St. Jospeh Cathedral in Abu Dhabi on August 21, the day the pope died, another memorial mass will be held at the Church of St. Francis in the Abrahamic Family House in Sa-adiyat Island on Thursday, April 24 at 7pm.

Based on the announcement issued by the official Facebook page of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, some representatives of the diplomatic missions are also expected to attend the memorial mass aside from the Christian community.

“Besides the faithful of our Church, we are expecting the participation of Representatives of the Diplomatic Missions. Let us unite together in prayer for the eternal repose of our beloved Pope Francis's soul,” the statement of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia stated.

Meanwhile, Bishop Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, in his homily during the memorial mass for Pope Francis on Easter Monday, paid tribute to the late pontiff.

Bishop Martinelli described Pope Francis as someone who showed closeness to everyone including the poor, prisoners, the sick and was promoting peace among those who are divided and in war.

Martinelli also said that Pope Francis was also a significant figure for everyone in this Church for his closeness to all migrants.

“Pope Francis was particularly significant for us, for his closeness to all migrants. He fought for the promotion of their rights. We, who are a Church of migrants, have felt his closeness and his love for us,” he said.

Martinelli also recalled the 2019 visit of Pope Francis to Abu Dhabi where he had a solemn celebration in the Zayed stadium in the capital.

He particularly highlighted the historic signing of the prophetic document on Human Fraternity, on dialogue between people of different faiths to promote peace in the world where the late pontiff signed the document with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar.

“Pope Francis signed that precious document together with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar. We too are committed to continuing on this path of dialogue and promotion of peace and reconciliation between peoples,” the bishop said in his homily. — BAP, GMA Integrated News