Imelda Marcos at papal Mass: I love the poor

 

MANILA, Philippines – Controversial former First Lady Imelda Marcos attended Pope Francis’ Mass in Tacloban, a move foreign and local observers noted for its irony.

The widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos was spotted at the Tacloban airport in Leyte on Saturday morning, January 17, where Pope Francis celebrated Mass to console victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Marcos is a member of the influential Romualdez clan that has dominated Leyte politics for decades.

Vatican expert John L Allen Jr reported on the Catholic news website Crux that Marcos was present as an “ordinary pilgrim.”

“The message of the Holy Father is about the poor, and I love the poor,” Marcos told reporters. 

“If more people thought like him, the country will be more united and able to grow,” she was quoted as saying. 

Allen said that Mrs Marcos did not meet the popular pro-poor pope, “who was likely unaware of her presence.”

Members of the Romualdez family earlier said that Mrs Marcos planned to attend the pope’s Mass. 

Now a representative of Ilocos Norte, her husband’s home province, Marcos remains controversial over human rights abuses and corruption allegations during her husband’s regime under martial law.

Mrs Marcos is infamous for her lavish lifestyle, amassing art, jewelry, clothes, and shoes in the two decades that her husband was president.

Despite the abuses attributed to the Marcoses, they remain a powerful force in Philippine politics and occupy key posts in government.

Marcos’ son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, is a senator who also attended the Pope’s Tacloban Mass. He is reportedly eyeing higher office in 2016.

Tacloban is washed clean by the rain and blessed by the Pope @Pontifex. Suerte pa rin! #PopeFrancisPH #PopeTYSM pic.twitter.com/FehBZuAEMi

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) January 17, 2015

This is a new experience. Mass in the rain but we don’t notice when we listen to the divine message of Pope Francis @Pontifex #PapalVisitPH

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) January 17, 2015

Another Vatican correspondent, Ines San Martin, also of Crux, also commented on Mrs Marcos’ presence at the Mass.

 

Imelda Marcos, widow of Filipino dictator, was at the Mass in Tacloban. She’s famous for her 3.000+ shoes..and stealing money #PopeFrancisPH

— IneSM (@inesanma) January 17, 2015

 

Like the Pope and the thousands attending the Mass, Mrs Marcos was seen wearing a yellow poncho amid strong wind and rain from Tropical Storm Amang (Mekkhala).

Imelda Marcos, saliendo de la misa del papa en #Taclobán, me ha dicho que "todos deberían amar a los pobres". TRUE! pic.twitter.com/I2Tebrzxsm

— Paloma Gª Ovejero (@pgovejero) January 17, 2015

The pope’s visit to Leyte, particularly his homily in Tacloban, was the highlight of the pontiff’s trip to the Philippines, with Francis saying his focus is on the poor. (READ: Full text of Pope Francis’ homily in Tacloban)

The most powerful storm to hit land, Yolanda devastated Leyte and the rest of Eastern Visayas on November 8, 2013, killing over 6,000 and leaving millions homeless and jobless. 

In spontaneous, moving words, Francis empathized with the pain of Yolanda survivors, who lost loved ones, homes, jobs and property to the monster typhoon.

Francis said to the victims: “’Father,’ you might say to me, ‘I was let down because I’ve lost so many things, my house, my livelihood.’ I respect those sentiments. But Jesus there [pointing to a cross at the makeshift stage] was nailed to the cross and from there he does not let us down.”

“Many of you lost everything. I don’t know what to say to you. Many have asked, why, Lord?” He said: “All I can do is keep silent.”

Due to the storm, Francis cut short his Leyte trip by 4 hours and returned to Manila Saturday afternoon. – Rappler.com