Democratic organizations expressed solidarity with the entire Catholic Church in mourning the passing of Pope Francis on April 21. The church leader died at the age of 88.

According to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, “Pope Francis will be remembered as a spiritual leader who guided the faithful to speak out against inequality, discrimination, and all forms of oppression. He emphasized the value of love, peace, and above all, the power of unity. His teachings will remain, his legacy will continue, and the masses will carry on the mission for a brighter tomorrow.”

Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) national chairperson Kej Andres expressed the admiration of the youth from various denominations for Pope Francis, especially for the extraordinary advocacy and stance of the Holy Father in promoting the rights of ordinary people marginalized in society, including migrants, women, and the poor.

According to Migrante International, “in recent years, as a beloved spiritual leader, Pope Francis stood against forced migration and the root causes of poverty and social violence. As a voice of ecumenism, he inspired Christians to unite in ministry for all those crossing borders for a better life for their families.”

The LGBTQ+ organization Bahaghari also joined in mourning. It said that Pope Francis was known for his “advocacy for progressive but controversial stances, especially regarding the relationship between the church and the LGBTQ+ community, where he showed a more open acceptance of LGBTQ+ people compared to his predecessors.” The group hopes that Pope Francis’ advocacies “will spark significant discussions for a more inclusive society and a more accepting Church, especially for those in the LGBTQ+ community,” added Bahaghari.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno also hopes that Pope Francis’s aspirations for the working class will continue to inspire workers worldwide to unite for adequate wages, decent work, and above all, a life with dignity.

According to the Children’s Rehabilitation Center and Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns, organizations for the welfare of children, “his stance for justice and peace was relentless. His powerful voice against violence in Gaza and all forms of human rights violations will inspire us forever to fight for a more just world. His call to end suffering and conflict is a lasting reminder of the world’s urgent need for compassion and understanding.”

For 12 years, Pope Francis served as the leader of the Catholic Church. He visited 68 countries carrying the message of peace, justice, unity, compassion, and love for fellow human beings.