FORMER Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson meets Pope Leo XIV. (Contributed photo)
Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson met Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday in Rome, Italy, a meeting he described as a spiritually moving experience.
The encounter with the pontiff, the first American to hold the office, marked a significant moment in Singson's personal faith journey.
Singson, known for his deep-seated Catholic faith, told reporters that the audience brought him a profound sense of spiritual fulfillment.
For many Catholics, a meeting with the Pope – the successor of Saint Peter and the head of the church – is considered a pilgrimage that connects them to the 2,000- year history of the faith.
Such encounters often evoke powerful emotions, including feelings of peace, joy, and a sense of grace. The honor is not only a personal one but is also seen as a shared spiritual connection, as the Pope's blessing extends to the individual's family and loved ones.
Singson's trip underscored how a public encounter with the head of the Church can affirm and deepen a person's private spiritual life.