'A true father to us' - Filipinos mourn Pope Francis

By Jay Ereno and Mikhail Flores

MANILA (Reuters) - Hundreds of Filipinos gathered at a solemn Mass held for Pope Francis on Tuesday, following his passing that has stirred deep sorrow among Catholics around the world, many of whom saw him as a humble and compassionate leader.    

In one of the world's largest Catholic strongholds, the grief was palpable as worshippers filled churches to honour the pontiff, known affectionately in the Philippines as "Lolo Kiko", or Grandpa Kiko.  

One of the chapels inside the Manila Cathedral displayed a framed photo of the Argentine pope surrounded by flowers and candles, as prayers for his eternal repose and solemn hymns sung by the choir echoed through the church.

"Lolo Kiko was a true father to us," said Cardinal Jose Advincula, the archbishop of Manila, during the morning Mass he led at the cathedral.

Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican said, ending an often turbulent reign in which he sought to overhaul an ancient and divided institution.

The Philippines, home to more than 80 million Catholics, has long had a special connection with Francis, who visited the country in 2015, drawing a record crowd of up to seven million people at a historic Mass in the capital.

In his homily, the pope urged Filipinos to shun "social structures which perpetuate poverty, ignorance and corruption". 

Francis' journey included a visit to Tacloban, where he met with survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest storm in Philippine history. 

POWERFUL FORCE

Cardinal Advincula described the 2015 visit of Francis as "a moment of grace forever etched in our memory".

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, a Catholic, described Francis as the "best pope in my lifetime" as he expressed deep sorrow over his passing.

The Catholic Church in the Philippines has been a powerful force in society, helping to oust two leaders, most notably the father and namesake of the current president, and speaking out against injustices and human rights abuses, including a spree of killings in former President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial "war on drugs".  

As the Church prepares for a new conclave, attention has turned to what could be a historic shift - one the possible candidates to succeed Pope Francis is Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

Tagle, 67 is often called the "Asian Francis" because of his similar commitment to social justice and if elected he would be the first pontiff from Asia, where only the Philippines and East Timor have majority Catholic populations.  

On paper, Tagle, who generally prefers to be called by his nickname "Chito", seems to have all the boxes ticked to qualify him to be a pope.

He has had decades of pastoral experience since his ordination to the priesthood in 1982. He then gained administrative experience, first as bishop of Imus and then as archbishop of Manila. 

(Writing by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty)