March 22, 2021. This is the day that left an indelible imprint in the life of the rector of Saint Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Iloilo City. 

March 22, 2021 was the day he met personally – and touched - Pope Francis at a hall in Vatican City, near the Sistine Chapel.

“Paglapit ko sa kanya saying ‘Gazie millie Santo Padre,’ expressing my gratitude sa kanyang pag-lead sa simbahan. Ang impact to touch the hands of the successor of Pope Peter sa akin, malaking bendisyon na nagbigay sa akin ng inspirasyon to live out the best sa aking call [calling],” Rev. Fr. John Tadifa, rector of Saint Vincent Ferrer Seminary, said.

Following the passing on of Pope Francis, one of the names that resonated to likely replace him is Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

The director of the Commission on Social Communications of the Archdiocese of Jaro trusts that Tagle is fit for the papacy because of the qualities that he shares with Pope Francis, particularly love of the needy, or the highly marginalized members of society.

“Nagsisimula na ang panalangin to unite ourselves in prayer for the success ng ganitong conclave. Na ang Holy Spirit, dumapo sa mga cardinal upang makapili kung sino ang mamumuno (sa simbahan),” said Rev. Fr. Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese of Jaro Commission on Social Communications.

Further, April Tronco Manzano shared on what she considers as a blessed encounter with the late Pope Francis.

Pope Francis is best known for his attachment to children. April narrated that in 2018, her family took a vacation in Europe, and that one of the places they visited is the City of Vatican.

In their attendance to a Holy Mass officiated by Pope Francis, she took her two children with her. One of them is Andrei who was only five months old then. The moment Pope Francis went near the attendees of the Holy Mass, the Pope asked the persons near him to have Baby Andrei carried to him.

“Luckily, isa sa kanyang mga guard, kinuha sa akin (ang bata) and he lifted him up at inilapit kay Pope Francis. And that time I can really see his face na he closed his eyes, he whispered, and he was praying,” April, Andrei’s mother, reminisced.

Despite Andrei’s limited recollection of the said encounter, he said he cherishes the photograph taken by his parents on that special moment with the pontiff.

“When I was five-months old, I was kissed by Pope Francis and this is my favorite picture,” Andrei mused.

“Para sa akin, ang kiss na ibinigay ni Pope Francis sa aking anak seven years ago is a symbol of blessing and grace. It was a gift that we will carry for the rest of our lives and something that we will never forget,” April underscored.