Pope Francis inspires devotees to be humble, compassionate

Pope Francis is seen by most Catholics not just as the leader of the Catholic Church, but as someone whose profound teachings inspire and guide them in their everyday lives. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines – Pope Francis is seen by most Catholics not just as the leader of the Catholic Church, but as someone whose profound teachings inspire and guide them in their daily lives.

The late pope was widely known as the “People’s Pope,” where he opened the doors of the church to people in all walks of life and stood against injustices, like war and conflict, and sexual abuses by some church leaders.

For Alice Lim and Arnel Papa, Pope Francis taught them to embody humility and treat people, especially the poor, with kindness and compassion.

READ: Advincula: Pope Francis said church must be close to the poor

Lim told INQUIRER.net that she was saddened to hear the news of the pope’s passing because she was happy when he publicly appeared on Easter Sunday.

“Masaya tayo pero nung kinuha siya ni Lord, malungkot pero tinanggap na,” she said.

(We are happy, but when the Lord took him Home, I was sad, but I accepted it.)

When asked how Pope Francis changed her perspective on life, the 65-year-old woman said he brought her closer to God.

“Yung paglapit mo sa Diyos. Yung faith mo kasi laging sinabi niya na “faith, hope, and love.” Tyaka yung gawa mo ay hindi para sa sarili, kung hindi para sa Diyos,” she said.

(Being closer to God. He always said “faith, hope, and love.” And whatever you do should not be for your gain, but for God.)

READ: Pope Francis taught me to serve the church, says a Filipino devotee

She also said that she has learned to embody the teaching of the pope to “love the poor,” pointing out how he had always been close to the unfortunate people, especially during his papacy.

“Di namang kailangang kilala yung tao para makatulong, di ba? Importante yung galing sa puso,” she added.

(You don’t need to know the person to help, right? What’s important is that the help comes from your heart.)

Meanwhile, 53-year-old Papa regarded Pope Francis as a “very good pope” and one of his “idols” in life. He also said that the pope taught him to be diligent and honest in his work and family.

“I always listen sa good words and naging inspiration ko siya sa buhay, sa pang-araw-araw, pagdating sa trabaho, kung paano maging isang huwarang mamamayan,” Papa said in a separate interview.

(I always listen to his good words and he became my inspiration in life, in everyday life, when it comes to work and how I should become a model citizen.)

“Sa pinakita ni Pope Francis sa pagmamahal niya sa buong bansa, buong mundo, yun yung naging inspirasyon ko para maging maganda ang pakikitungo ko sa mga tao, sa kahit sa hindi ko kakilala,” Papa added.

(The love Pope Francis showed to the country and to the whole world became my inspiration on how to treat others, even if I don’t know them.)

He also shared how he learned how to be calm and composed like Pope Francis, especially in dealing with everyday mishaps like road rage.

Both Lim and Papa told INQUIRER.net that they prayed for the eternal repose of the pope, who died at the age of 88 last Monday, April 22.

The pope’s funeral is set to take place on Saturday in the square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. The coffin will be taken back inside before it is set for burial at Rome’s basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.