Former Senate president Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said he will heed Pope Francis’ order for him to protect the Filipino family as calls for the passage of the bill that calls for the legalization of divorce in the Philippines become loud.
“Pope Francis asked me to please protect the family, and this is an order that I will take to heart,” Zubiri said summing up details of his meeting with Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican last June 5.
“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, a devout Catholic Christian, who met with the Pope during the latter's weekly catechesis and prayers for world peace.
Zubiri said that while he is open to discussion, he maintains a strong belief in the sanctity and insolubility of marriage.
The Philippines remains the last country in the world to not recognize divorce. A bill legalizing divorce has currently been approved in the House of Representatives.
The senator said he got the opportunity to introduce his family to the Pope. The family is one of a handful of guests given a chance to meet and receive a personal blessing from the Pope.
“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.
Zubiri came along with his wife Audrey and their three young children. The family were accompanied by the Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, Myla Grace Ragenia Macahilig.
The former Senate leader said he 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 on 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,” he further said.
According to Zubiri, he explained to the Pope that he is a pro-life and pro-family legislator from the Philippines, to which the Pope responded by asking him to “please protect the family.”
“Lolo Kiko is so special to us Filipinos, and I got the feeling that he holds us in a special place in his heart and his prayers as well, as one of the most devoutly Catholic nations in the world,” Zubiri said.
“I am always going to remember his reminder, and I am going to do my best to protect the family values that hold our nation together.”