CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Pope Francis\u2019 departure from the Philippines prompted gratitude from leading bishops who encouraged Filipinos to reflect on the Pope\u2019s message and to use discernment in responding to modern life.<\/p>\n\t\u201cThe Pope is a Pope of surprises, but God also surprised him,\u201d Bishop Mylo Vergara of San Jose said at a press conference following Pope Francis\u2019 departure from the Philippines.<\/p>\n
\tThe bishop praised Pope Francis\u2019 \u201cspontaneity\u201d and his appearance as someone who is \u201cone with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThat was his intention, even before coming here. He wanted to be one with us, in mercy and compassion,\u201d the bishop said.<\/p>\n
\tBishop Vergara was joined by Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila, apostolic nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe\u00a0Pinto, and <\/em>Secretary Sonny Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operating Office at the Jan. 19 press conference at the Philippines\u2019 Villamor Air Base. Pope Francis had left the air base for Rome earlier that morning.<\/p>\n\tCardinal Tagle was grateful for the papal visit, which peaked with a papal Mass of 6 to 7 million people in Manila\u2019s Rizal Park on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cAll of us are overwhelmed right now with thanksgiving and gratitude to God, to authorities in government and the Church, and the many sectors of society,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\tThe last papal visit was St. John Paul II\u2019s visit in 1995, he noted.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThis happens once every 20 years. And look at how people still react,\u201d the cardinal said, reporting that the 1995 visit\u2019s theme song still has an effect on people.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cYou see how deeply that visit of John Paul II has touched the Filipino,\u201d Cardinal Tagle said. \u201cI\u2019m sure this visit by Pope Francis already has that effect. But we need to allow that to deepen. Let us spend time reflecting on its spiritual message.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tHe said that bishops, clergy and laity have all been \u201cchallenged by the Pope\u201d and that they must work to put it into practice.<\/p>\n
\tCardinal Tagle said that the Philippines \u201ccannot be shielded from contemporary shifts\u201d and ideas that arrive through media and travel.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cAnd in fact, not everything that is contemporary is bad,\u201d he said, noting that electronic \u201cgadgets\u201d have vastly improved the ability to communicate.<\/p>\n
\tHe added that not everything that is new is necessarily good.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cI think the Holy Father is also inviting us to be discerning and to be critical,\u201d the cardinal explained.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cHere, I think, the Christian spirituality of discernment can be handy. How do we immerse ourselves in the Word of God, in prayer, in the teachings of the Church, and with that deep resource, how do you address the changes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\tAccording to Cardinal Tagle, Pope Francis sees \u201cpopular religiosity\u201d and \u201cthe simple faith of the people,\u201d like devotions to the Holy Infant and to the Madonna, as one solid foundation for faith.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cHe said it is the Simple faith that may survive the changes in society,\u201d the cardinal said.<\/p>\n
\tSecretary Coloma thanked the Philippines people for their \u201cfull cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\u201cOur people responded from the heart. They responded with faith,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\tThe press conference closed with prayers of thanksgiving for the visit and prayers for the safe flight of Pope Francis back to Rome.<\/p>\n
\n
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