'A true father to us' - Filipinos mourn Pope Francis

Filipinos attend mass for Pope Francis, hours after his death was announced by the Vatican, at the Cubao Cathedral in Quezon City, Philippines, April 21, 2025. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA (Reuters) -Filipinos knelt before a framed photo of Pope Francis surrounded by flowers and candles inside the Manila Cathedral on Tuesday for a solemn Mass following his passing.

Some shed tears and turned emotional at the 450-year-old cathedral and churches around the Philippines, one of the world's largest Catholic strongholds, where worshippers gathered to honour the pontiff known affectionately as "Lolo Kiko", or Grandpa Kiko.