Manila, April 22 -- Jaro Archbishop Midyphil Billones on Tuesday urged the faithful in the archdiocese to offer prayers for the eternal repose of Pope Francis, who died Monday morning in the Vatican.

"We mourn his death because of our deep love. Yet we celebrate with gratitude his life and ministry that has touched and blessed all of us," Billones said in his message posted on the archdiocese's Facebook page.

He called on the faithful to continue pursuing the dream that Pope Francis had cultivated --that "God is near and journeys with us."

"In each of us who caught his spirituality, we carry his legacy of synodality and continue to build a church that generates hope and compassion," the Jaro archbishop said.

Meanwhile, elected officia...