Manila Cathedral opens space for prayers, candles for Pope Francis

The Manila Cathedral announced on Tuesday that it has opened a designated space for devotees who wish to mourn and offer prayers for Pope Francis.

In an Unang Balita report by Mariz Umali, Manila Cathedral said that the Christ the King Chapel has been dedicated for devotees to leave candles and dedicate their prayers for Pope Francis from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“It’s a good time for us to be a witness to the life and the ministry of this man. I know he has touched our hearts. This time, it may be so near because of the papal visit, pero alam ko na madaming mga tumimo ang ala-ala ni Pope Francis sa atin at sa bawa’t isa,” said Manila Cathedral Vice Rector Fr. Vicente Gabriel Bautista.

(It’s a good time for us to be a witness to the life and the ministry of this man. I know he has touched our hearts. This time, it may be so near because of the papal visit but I know that there are a lot of people who were affected by the teachings of Pope Francis.)

He also encouraged devotees to thank God for the late Pope’s goodness and his leadership by visiting their parish churches.

“Nandoon parin yung gulat sa atin, nandoon yung pagluluksa… Nandoon yung gulat, nandoon yung sakit. Nandoon man yung kalungkutan, ang daming taong nagpapasalamat sa naging mensahe sa kaniyang ministry,” Bautista said.

(The shock is still there, and the grieving… The shock is there, so is the pain. Despite there being sadness, a lot of people are still grateful for the messages of his ministry.)

Millions of Filipino devotees worldwide are mourning over the Pope’s death, especially after his 2015 visit to the Philippines.

Manila Cathedral, on Monday, sounded the church bells at 6 p.m. to signify the death of the Pope.

On Tuesday morning, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula called on the Filipino Catholic faithful to heed the late Pope Francis’ call to be “smugglers of faith” during  the Mass for the Eternal Repose of his Soul.

“Throughout his pontificate, our Lolo Kiko was a true father to us and has continued to show his love for the Philippines, not only through words but through actions,” he added, recalling Pope Francis’ visit to Manila and Tacloban in the aftermath of the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda which killed over 6,000 people. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News