Pope Francis' 2015 PH visit remembered for mercy and compassion

Pope Francis' 2015 visit to the Philippines, themed 'Mercy and Compassion,' was a significant event that brought hope to millions, particularly survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

During his five-day trip from January 15 to 19, 2015, the Pope met with Yolanda survivors in Tacloban City, expressing solidarity and emphasizing God's presence in difficult times.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines described him as 'a shepherd who walked with his people, often choosing the dusty road toward the peripheries rather than the comfort of the center.'

His Mass at Rizal Park on January 18, 2015, drew an estimated six to seven million attendees, widely considered the largest crowd in history and surpassing the previous record set by Pope John Paul II.

Bishop David William Antonio noted that Pope Francis embodied simplicity, mercy, and prophetic courage, leaving an enduring legacy.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula recalled the visit as a 'moment of grace' that taught Filipinos to 'suffer with others and find hope in the midst of pain.'