As the historic visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines comes to an end, one of the most emotional moments for the Pontiff must surely have been his encounter with Manila street children.
After the Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Friday, the Pope, who is known to frequently deviate from his official itineraries, slipped out through a side door and went to visit ANAK-Tuloy ng Kabataan (Tnk) Foundation instead of walking to the church’s front entrance as planned.
Last September, ANAK-Tnk, which has been looking after the poorest children of Manila since 1998, launched a campaign called “Even Us” with thousands of letters mailed to Pope Francis. A short and emotional video, echoing what the children suffered as street kids, was uploaded to You Tube.
When he arrived at the foundation for the surprise visit, he was greeted by 300 jubilant children. Said former street kid, ten year-old Alvin, “he gave me a huge, warm hug. It was awesome”.
In the 15-minute meeting, the Rev.Fr. Matthieu Dauchez, director of the foundation, told the Pontiff that the hundreds of street children in their care are the most vulnerable victims of society. “But they remain masters of joy, as one can see on their smiling faces,” he added.
Pope Francis said he was “very moved” by what he saw at the fundation. He stressed that it is the responsibility of the faithful to not let the poor feel they have been abandoned.
“I ask you especially to show concern for those who do not have a family of their own, in particular those who are elderly and children without parents. Never let them feel isolated, alone and abandoned, but help them to know that God has not forgotten them,” he added.
And on Sunday morning at the University of Santo Tomas, two of the foundation’s children, 14 year-old Jun Chura and 12 year-old Gryzelle-Iris Palomar, gave an emotional and heartfelt account to the Pope of their wretched lives as street kids.
Pope Francis listened with emotion to the sad and disturbing testimonies of the children about their expediences of the worst of Manila street life.
The Holy Father then embraced them for a long time. The very emotional scene is a deep illustration of the Papal visit’s theme: Compassion. The image of Pope Francis with the children will be one of the most moving of the apostolic visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines.
The ANAK-Tnk Foundation was founded by a French Jesuit priest in 1998. It has programs aimed at giving back street children their dignity. Some 1300 children are welcomed in 24 centers each year.
Robert Harland is a British national based in Bacolod City. He was in Manila for the Pope’s visit.