Zubiri meets Pope, advised to ‘protect the family’

‘GREATEST HONOR’ Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and his family meet with Pope Francis during their visit to the Vatican on June 5. —Vatican Media website

MANILA, Philippines — “Pope Francis asked me to please protect the family, and this is an instruction that I will take to heart.”

This was former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s summation of his meeting with Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican on June 5.

Zubiri met with the Pope during the latter’s weekly catechesis and prayers for world peace.

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The Philippines remains the last country in the world not to recognize divorce. A bill legalizing divorce has currently been approved in the House of Representatives.

“We prayed for our beloved country and for our leaders to always find discernment and to do what is right, even when it is not popular,” said Zubiri, who also emphasized that while he is open to discussion, he maintains a strong belief in the sanctity and insolubility of marriage.

The senator also had the opportunity to introduce his family to the Pope, from whom the family was among a handful of guests given a chance to receive his personal blessing.

“Meeting our Santo Papa, Lolo Kiko, as a Catholic and a Christian, was the greatest honor of my life, especially since I got to bring my kids along,” said Zubiri, who has three young children with his wife, Audrey.

Zubiri is in Europe to “take a short sabbatical away from politics” and to spend some “long-promised quality time” with his family.

“This is the first time in two years that I have been able to give my family my undivided attention, and so I really wanted to take them away for some family time—all [at] my personal expense, of course,” the senator said.

“Our Catholic faith is so important to our family, so it was very humbling to have the Pope give us so much of his time and attention. He seemed especially fond of our youngest boy and even asked him to learn Spanish.”