Sara Duterte hopes Pope Francis aspirations to live on

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday expressed hope that the Catholic community will continue to live with the aspirations left by Pope Francis even after his death.

In a video message, Duterte honored the late pontiff whom she said led the Roman Catholic with humility, dedication, and faith as a disciple of God.

“We pray as we mourn the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, the shepherd who taught us to be compassionate, forgiving, and merciful in a world poisoned by social inequities, hate, greed, and wars,” the Vice President said.

“May we find strength and continue to live with the aspirations left by His Holiness as a man with the mission to bring the Gospel to the faithful, especially the poor, the sick, and the dying,” she added.

Duterte also called for prayers for the eternal repose of the Holy Father.

The Vatican on Monday announced the passing of Pope Francis.

Based on his certificate, which was published by the Vatican, Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure, and had fallen into a coma before his death.

The 88-year-old pope recently suffered from double pneumonia, which caused him to be hospitalized for weeks. 

Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was elected as successor to the late Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.—AOL, GMA Integrated News