Dennis Gaviola

(FILES) Pope Francis brings a white rose to the Virgin Mary during his weekly general audience at St Peter's square at the Vatican on December 9, 2015. Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025 announced The Vatican. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A Song of Blessing, once sang in pure joy before the pontiff himself, now carries notes of grief, words heavy with mourning.The Young Voices of the Philippines, a choir made up mostly of wide-eyed, hopeful elementary students, once sang this original piece under the warmth of the Vatican sun. Now, with hearts broken by the passing of Pope Francis, they sing it again not in celebration, but in solemn tribute.“It still feels like a dream,” 12-year-old Nelyja Pauline Abesamis said, her eyes sparkling with the memory that will never fade.“Nakakataba ng puso yun (my heart was overflowing with happiness). I hugged him. And when he kissed my cheek, I felt I could cry right then and there.”Last year, during the Vatican’s World Children’s Day celebrations, the group found themselves not just in the presence of holiness—but in its warm embrace. Pope Francis, known for his gentle spirit and deep love for the youth, met with the choir not once, but three extraordinary times. For many of the children, it was the most profound encounter they’ve ever had.For 14-year-old Regina Roldan, it was a moment that set her spirit ablaze. “When I held his hand and gave him a blessing, I felt something change in me. He reignited my desire to serve God.”Behind this miraculous moment is a prayer that had lingered in the heart of their conductor, Dr. Maria Teresa Roldan. In 2017, she had her own cherished moment with the Pope.“I called him Lolo Kiko (a term of endearment Filipinos use). When he heard it, he smiled. He knew I was from the Philippines,” she recalls, her smile as big as when the moment happened.“I asked, ‘Can I hug you?’ And when I did, all I could say was, ‘Please pray for the Philippines.’ And he smiled and said, ‘Please pray for me too.’”That moment planted a seed of hope that, one day, the children she nurtures with music and faith would experience the same divine experience.Seven years later, the answer to that prayer unfolded before her very eyes. “To see their small hands reach out to him, to watch their faces light up… It was like watching grace unfold in real time,” says Jude Roldan, the choir’s artistic director. “Pope Francis didn’t just welcome them. He cherished them.”He speaks of the Pope’s deep love for children that radiated through every gentle gesture and word of encouragement.“The children saw what we sometimes forget, there is someone out there who truly sees them and values their voice.”And it changed them.“They sing differently now,” Roldan said.“They serve differently. Their faith has deepened. Their music, their voices—these are no longer just performances. They are offerings.”In the wake of Pope Francis’ passing, the song remains. But now, it carries a new meaning. It&#x27;s not just a blessing sung in joy. Rather, it’s a prayer sent up in grief. It’s a promise to carry forward the love, humility, and grace he showed them and the entire world.

The Young Voices of the Philippines, a choir made up mostly of elementary students, once sang an original piece under the warmth of the Vatican sun.

The Young Voices of the Philippines, a choir made up mostly of elementary students, once sang an original piece under the warmth of the Vatican sun.

A song of sorrow and grace: Brief but unforgettable walk of a children’s choir with the Pope

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A song of sorrow and grace: Brief but unforgettable walk of a children’s choir with the Pope

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 25, 2025 12:36 AM PHT

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Pope Francis

Young Voices of the Philippines

Choir

World Children’s Day

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