Pope Francis, who visited typhoon-hit Tacloban and went around Metro Manila in 2015, died on Monday, at the age of 88, a day after he appearing at Saint Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday.

Recently, it was thought the Pope was on the road to recovery after he overcame a 40-day hospital confinement from double pneumonia.

On Monday morning, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber Cardinal, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta.

"He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God", Farrell added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the "Philippines joins the Catholic community worldwide in grieving the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis".

''I love this Pope. The best Pope in my lifetime as far as I am concerned,'' said Marcos in the sidelines of a meeting.

"As we mourn his passing, we honor a life that brought hope and compassion to so many, and inspired us to love one another as Christ loved us. It is a profoundly sad day", Marcos added.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, in a statement, told Filipinos to " honor the memory of Pope Francis by learning from his teachings and following his example of Christian life".

"It is with profound grief that we received the news that our beloved Holy Father Pope Francis, our dear Lolo Kiko, has passed from this world to return to the house of the Father", Advincula said.

Advincula said that they will "remember his visit to our country in 2015-a moment of grace forever etched in our national memory. Under the rain in Tacloban, standing with the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, Pope Francis showed us what it means to suffer with others and find hope in the midst of pain".

A requiem mass will be held in various churches in Metro Manila on Tuesday, led by one in the Manila Cathedral.

In the election to determine the successor to Pope Francis, three Filipinos will be eligible to vote. They are Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David. who also heads the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and Advincula. DMS-Marie Manalili