Pope Francis’ death holds deep mourning millions of people in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, as he remembers the Catholic leaders known for his humility, inter-pagan commitment and dedication to their region.
In the small Timor Reste where over 95% of people are Catholic, Francis was the first pope to visit since independence.
When he landed in Dili last September as part of a four-country Asia-Pacific tour, nearly half of his 1.3 million people became his Mass, wearing umbrellas in yellow and white pope colors to block the tropical sun.
Timor Reste President Jose Ramos Horta said on Monday that the flags will fly at the mast for a week and a half to honor the later pope, and Mass will be awarded his honor.
“He leaves behind a profound legacy of humanity, justice, human fraternity, and great losses not only for Christians, but for the world,” Horta praised her courage “for the poor, for the weak… arrogance, abuse, abuse, war.”
In the Philippines, one of the world’s largest Catholic population, churches across the country were ordered to ring the bells for Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. “Kiko” is often used as a nickname for men named “Francisco,” but “Roro” means “grandpa.”
In the coastal town of Lingaien, Archbishop Socratesvillegas described Pope Francis as “yes of our time.”
“We knew in him that Jesus was in the midst of us,” he told the Inquirer newspaper.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid tribute to Francis as “the best pope of my life” and “a man of deep faith and humility.”
Millions of Filipinos were famous in 2015 for riding Popemovie buildings based on the design of the Jeepney, a vehicle synonymous with the Philippines, and was originally built from a reused US military jeep that served as the backbone of its transport system.
Almost 80% of Filipinos are Catholic or about 85 million, and former Manila archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, age 67, is considered a potential candidate for the next pope. If chosen, he will be the first pope from Asia, the region with the fastest growing Catholic population.
Even in the world’s largest Muslim nations, Francis visited last year, the Pope is lovingly remembered.
During a stop in Jakarta, the Pope visited the country’s largest mosque and attended a dialogue between the pagans, which was considered a powerful show that bridged the boundaries between religious tolerance and faith.
“The Pope’s simplicity, pluralism, mercy to the poor and the message of concern for others will always be an example for all of us,” Indonesia’s President Prabobo said. “Farewell, Pope Francis. Your message to protect Bhinneka Tunggal Ika [unity in diversity] It will always stay in our hearts. ”
In neighbouring Papua New Guinea, the Prime Minister said last year’s Pope left an impression that last year’s visit to the capital and the post base in the jungle “not disappearing.”
James Murrape extended his Pacific nation’s “deepest patriot opinion” for the death of the Pope, praised Francis’ trip with tens of thousands of masses in Port Moresby, then travelled to meet loyal people in the jungle-covered coastal community of Banimo.
The visit was “a moment of immeasurable spiritual significance for our country,” Malap said.
Over 90% of Papua New Guinea’s 12 million inhabitants call themselves Christians, and about a quarter of them are Catholic.
“His involvement with our youth and church leaders left an indelible impression on everyone who witnessed them,” Murrape said.
