MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III admits he is a fan of Pope Francis.

Three days before the visit of the pontiff to the country, the President on Monday, January 12, said he has had issues with the Catholic Church but is inspired by the pontiff.

“Shall we say I’ve had my disagreements with some members of our own Church and at the same time, I am, like so many other people, inspired by the works and the deeds of the current Pope,” he said.

He added, “We were taught, when I was studying in a Jesuit establishment, that after the Second Vatican Council, we need to care about what’s happening in the world and not just spiritual (issues).”

“So what [the Pope] is doing, is returning, is involving the Church, addressing the direct problems of every countryman. And I agree with that. It cannot be that it’s all spiritual aspects only. The world has needs and concerns that must be addressed to help the spiritual to prosper as well.” (The President finished college at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University.)

Aquino defied the Catholic Church when he pushed for the passage of the Reproductive Health bill, which the Church opposed. Despite a strong Church lobby against the bill, Congress eventually passed the law, which mandates government to make reproductive health information available to the public.

Asked whether he was concerned whether the Pope would mention anything about corruption, the President said he was not thinking negatively.

“Any fair assessment will say: Of course, we have our challenges; we’re still dealing with the Yolanda aftermath; we still have to deal with Ruby. But I think from four and a half years ago, we’ve made many gains,” he said.

Pope Francis is set to visit Malacañang on Friday, January 16, to meet with Aquino, only the third pope to meet with a Philippine president since 1970. – Rappler.com