They mourn the Pope, whose impact was indelible: Catholics grieve across the Asia-Pacific region.

The passing of Pope Francis has plunged millions of individuals in south-east Asia and the Pacific into profound mourning, as they commemorate a Catholic leader celebrated for his humility, interfaith dedication, and commitment to their region.

In the small nation of Timor-Leste, where over 95% of the populace is Catholic, Francis marked history as the first pope to visit since its independence. His arrival in Dili in September as part of a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour drew nearly half of the country’s 1.3 million population to his mass, where attendees brandished umbrellas in the papal colors of yellow and white to shield themselves from the tropical sun.

Timor-Leste’s President, Jose Ramos Horta, announced that flags would be flown at half-mast for a week to honor the late pontiff, with a special mass to be held in his memory. Horta praised Francis’s courage to speak out for the marginalized and against injustice, describing his legacy as one of profound humanity and fraternity.

In the Philippines, home to one of the world’s largest Catholic populations, churches across the nation rang their bells in remembrance of Francis, affectionately known there as “Lolo Kiko.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid tribute, calling Francis the “best pope in my lifetime” and a man of deep faith and humility.

Philippine Archbishop Socrates Villegas poignantly described Pope Francis as “the Jesus for our age,” reflecting his significance to the faithful. The country remembers the 2015 visit where Francis used a popemobile inspired by the local “jeepney,” a testament to his connection with the people.

In Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, Francis is also fondly remembered. His visit to the largest mosque in Jakarta and his participation in an interfaith dialogue were seen as powerful gestures of religious tolerance and unity. Indonesian President Prabowo highlighted the pope’s message of simplicity and benevolence, expressing his nation’s gratitude for Francis’s advocacy of unity in diversity.

In Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister James Marape extended the nation’s deepest condolences, noting the indelible impact of Francis’s visit. The trip, including a mass in Port Moresby and a visit to the jungle community of Vanimo, was a moment of immense spiritual significance for the country, with over 90% of its residents identifying as Christian, a quarter of whom are Catholic.

Across these regions, the mourning reflects not only the spiritual influence of Pope Francis but also his unique ability to bridge cultural and interfaith divides, leaving behind a legacy that transcends religious boundaries.