The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged Filipino Catholics to carry forward the legacy of Pope Francis by embracing his vision of a Church rooted in mercy, compassion, and synodality, following the Holy Father’s passing on April 21.

In a statement, CBCP President Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David expressed sorrow over the Pope’s passing and called on the faithful to embody his vision of a Church that listens, walks humbly, and brings mercy to the world.

“With deep sorrow, yet with profound gratitude, we mourn the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis,” David said.

“Let us pray for the repose of his soul and commit ourselves to carrying forward his call: to grow into a Missionary Synodal Church—one that goes forth, listens deeply, walks humbly with others, and proclaims God’s mercy with joy,” he added.

David praised Pope Francis’ consistent efforts to bring the church to the margins of society, describing him as “a shepherd who walked with his people, often choosing the dusty road toward the peripheries rather than the comfort of the center.”

He also cited documents, such as Evangelii Gaudium and Fratelli Tutti, as key expressions of Pope Francis’ call to awaken the Church’s social conscience, along with his contributions to environmental justice through Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum.

David also recalled how the Pope affectionately referred to overseas Filipino migrant workers as “contrabandistas de la fe” (smugglers of the faith), reminding the faithful that “the witness of simple, faithful lives can cross borders and touch hearts where formal missionaries cannot go.”

He reiterated that Pope Francis’ vision of a “Missionary Synodal Church” should be more than an idea but must be lived out in the daily faith of Filipino Catholics in their families, parishes, and communities.

“Pope Francis has now returned to the Father, but his legacy as a supreme pontiff—that is, as bridge-builder—will never be forgotten by the Church,” he said.