Posted January 18, 2015 by Ian Benedict Mia

Throughout the visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines, he has pointed out several things that inspired the country to rise from challenges, promote the welfare of others and look for means to improve life as a whole. Among these he mentioned in big gatherings such as the state visit to Malacañang Palace, youth encounter at UST, meeting with families at Mall of Asia arena, and his visit to Tacloban. To give a quick look back, CLASiko presents some of the inspirational messages that the pope addressed to the Filipinos.

"Real love is about loving and letting yourself be loved. It is harder to let yourself be loved than to love."

– Youth Encounter at UST

"Reality is superior to ideas. The reality that you have is superior to the paper I have in front of me."

– Youth Encounter at UST

“Women can see things from a different angle to us, with a different eye. Women are able to pose questions we men are unable to understand. Look out for this fact: she is the only one who has put a question for which there is no answer.”

– Youth Encounter at UST

"Together with many people throughout the world, I have admired the heroic strength, faith and resilience demonstrated by so many Filipinos in the face of this natural disaster, and so many others."

– Courtesy Call to Malacañang Palace

“As many voices in your nation have pointed out, it is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good.”

 – Courtesy Call to Malacañang Palace

“Rest is so necessary for the health of our minds and bodies, and often so difficult to achieve due to the many demands placed on us. But rest is also essential for our spiritual health, so that we can hear God’s voice and understand what he asks of us.”

– Meeting with Families at MOA Arena

“Resting in prayer is especially important for families. It is in the family that we first learn how to pray. There we come to know God, to grow into men and women of faith, to see ourselves as members of God’s greater family, the Church. In the family we learn how to love, to forgive, to be generous and open, not closed and selfish. We learn to move beyond our own needs, to encounter others and share our lives with them. That is why it is so important to pray as a family! That is why families are so important in God’s plan for the Church!”

– Meeting with Families at MOA Arena

With the pope’s visit, the Filipinos are asked to continually work together on building a better nation, especially for the youth. The question remains, however, on how much the Filipinos are willing to change for the better and treat this papal visit as a new beginning. With a renewed idealism and fresh perspective, what can Filipinos do now following the mercy and compassion that Pope Francis exemplified?