Pope Francis: His presence gave comfort, strength to Yolanda survivors (2025)

Pope Francis visits families of typhoon Yolanda victims in one of the areas in Palo, Leyte Saturday, January 17, 2015. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — It is an understatement to say that the indomitable spirit of Filipinos left an impression on Pope Francis when he visited the country, particularly storm-ravaged Eastern Visayas, in 2015, so much so that he wrote a letter to then Palo Archbishop John Du about it.

But Francis’ short visit to Leyte, 14 months after being hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, was also remarkable for those who saw his willingness to be with them. The visit was cut short because another storm, Typhoon Amang, was coming in.

“You can see it in him [the attitude]: ‘I want to be with the people. That’s why I’m here.’ So as much as possible, he didn’t pass up [the chance to see] anybody,” Katherine Adraneda, a former official of the Office of the President who was part of the team that made preparations for the papal visit, told INQToday in Filipino in an interview on Monday.

“In fact, I remember, while he was celebrating Mass, the wind and the rain became stronger. But he went straight on reading the Bible and giving his homily. So that shows his desire to be with the people, to give them comfort. You can feel it from afar,” Adraneda said.

READ: Pope Francis: Remembering his life, teachings and legacy – Live Updates

According to Adraneda, Francis’ presence was like that of a father looking over his children.

“The rain didn’t matter. Even if everything was wet and everyone was in raincoats, it didn’t matter. What was important for them was to hear him and see him, because he gave them the hope they were looking for. The feeling then was like: ‘I’m sad, I have a lot of problems, I was devastated by a storm, but the top messenger of the Lord is here. So all in all my sorrow, I would tell him that, and he would listen’,” she said.

“So that kind of faith strengthens you. You would have gotten goosebumps if you were there,” she added.

On November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda — the world’s strongest cyclone to hit land with average wind speeds of 305 kilometers per hour — barreled through the eastern part of the country, with Leyte being affected the most.

READ: One of world’s strongest typhoons lashes Philippines

Over 16 million people across 44 provinces were affected, leaving 1.14 million homes damaged, and forcing 5.13 million individuals to evacuate from their homes, triggering one of the worst humanitarian crises in the Philippines.

Official numbers state that over 6,300 died due to the storm, but experts believe the number could be higher, as many individuals were no longer found after storm surges swept coastal towns and communities.

A few months before Yolanda hit the Philippines, Francis was elected pope after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI — the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger — resigned from his post.

Francis said he wanted to visit Leyte soon after hearing the news of the devastation wrought by Yolanda. When he finally got to Tacloban, Leyte’s capital, Francis apologized, saying: “I’m here to be with you. A little bit late, I have to say, but I’m here.”

“I would like to tell you something close to my heart: When I saw from Rome that catastrophe, I felt that I had to be here. And on those very days, I decided to come here,” Francis added.

Pope Francis wears a plastic poncho as he waves to well wishers after a Mass in Tacloban on January 17, 2015. (File photo by Johannes Eisele | Agence France-Presse)

READ: Francis in Tacloban: ‘It was God’s way of making the Pope feel as we felt’

A lot of Filipinos appreciated the pope’s humility, admitting that he too was at a loss for words.

“So many of you have lost everything. I don’t know what to say to you, but the Lord does know what to say to you,” the pope said.

“Some of you lost part of your families. All I can do is keep silent, and I walk with you all with my silent heart. Many of you have asked the Lord, ‘Why, Lord?’ And to each of you, Christ responds from His heart upon the Cross,” he added.

Adraneda said these words had an impact even on those who were not pious Catholics.

“It’s hard to find the exact word to describe it. But maybe it’s your faith. Even if you’re not that religious, you would have felt the strength of your faith if you had witnessed what was happening,” she said.

Catholics around the world are mourning Francis’ death, just a day after he participated in the Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican.

Tributes poured in, including those from Filipinos who thanked the late pontiff for standing with the country. Earlier, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who hails from Leyte, said that Francis was not only a pope but also a guiding light for Filipinos from Eastern Visayas.

Earlier, Filipino priest Francis Lucas recalled the pope’s humility, as he still asked for prayers even if he was already the highest official in the Roman Catholic Church. Other Filipinos also noted how Pope Francis’ mere presence was enough to give them hope during dark times.

READ: Pope Francis consoled him in his grief, now he mourns his passing

Even during his last days, Francis tried to participate in the Vatican’s activities, earning praise from observers as he seemingly willed himself out of a life-threatening ailment.

Francis was hospitalized for 38 days due to recurring respiratory issues, and was released just this March 23. /atm