Habemus papam - Benedict XVI

All my life, the pope's name has been John Paul II.

Pope Benedict XVI...that'll take some getting used to.

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Parang bigla ako ulit nalungkot na wala na nga talaga si Pope John Paul II. Somehow, there's something in him that makes people feel so deeply for him.

Like when he visited the Philippines in 1995. I was frickin crying just watching his departure on local TV. And then when I learned of his grave illness, I became anxious and kept praying that God would just take care of him and watch over him.

Si Pope John Paul kasi napaka-amo ng mukha. And (for me, at least) he projects the image of a saintly man. I am definitely in awe of his persona.

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Di ko man siya nakita up close nung pagbisita niya dito nung 1995, I still saw him from a distance as his popemobile was rerouted through Villamor Air Base to avoid the congested roads on the way to the airport.

My sis and I were watching the coverage of his departure when it was mentioned that he was passing through Villamor instead of the previously announced route. So tumakbo kami palabas, and as we were running down the street, the popemobile passed by and we were frantically waving our hands, hoping that the Pope would see our farewell to him. He was waving in the direction of our street as his vehicle sped by :)

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May he rest in peace. Buti pa siya, katabi na niya best friend niya sa langit. Sana he'll continue to pray for us nang magkita-kita tayo lahat sa itaas pagdating ng panahon.

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As for Pope Benedict XVI, let's all pray that he may fulfill his duties as Peter's successor. Mabigat na responsibilidad iyon. Sana'y kayanin niya, at sana'y patuloy siyang gabayan ng Diyos.