Manila: Senators on Monday joined the global mourning for Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff who passed away Monday at the age of 88. Senate President Francis Escudero described the Catholic leader as 'a true shepherd of Christ's flock,' noting that 'his tireless efforts to foster peace and inclusion reshaped the Church's role in promoting unity across religious and cultural divides.'

According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero said, 'Pope Francis championed the marginalized, bringing their voices to the forefront of his papacy and inspiring the world with his message of love and acceptance.' He highlighted the Pope's 2015 visit to the Philippines, emphasizing its impact on the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda and praising the Pope's call for solidarity and care for the vulnerable.

Escudero further stated, 'As we honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis, let us carry forward his vision of a world united in peace and kindness. May his dedication to inclusion and harmony inspire us to nurture our shared humanity. We pray for the eternal repose of his soul. From a grateful nation, paalam at maraming salamat (goodbye and thank you), Pope Francis! Rest in eternal peace.'

In a separate statement, Senate Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros described the Pope as 'the greatest aspect about our Church today.' She remarked, 'Pope Francis was a real progressive in every sense of the word. He saw to it that the Church was truly a Church of the poor. He even took it further and called on the Church to listen and learn.'

Hontiveros urged, 'Let us keep him in our memory by living the virtues he had always preached: Mercy, compassion, and hope. Let us show mercy for the most vulnerable among us, compassion towards each other, and hope just as the late Pope hoped for peace and justice.'

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also paid tribute to the Pope's leadership. He noted, 'In an increasingly fractured and tumultuous world, his message of love and service rang loud in its simplicity. He was a working Pope, ready to come down from the pulpit and engage with the problems of the world alongside the rest of us.'