As Filipino Catholics gathered in Manila Cathedral on Tuesday for a requiem mass to mourn the death of Pope Francis, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula recalled the relationship that the departed pope had with the Filipino people.

“Throughout his pontificate, our Lolo Kiko was a true father to us and has continued to show his love for the Philippines?not only through words, but through actions,” Cardinal Advincula said during his homily.

Advincula also recalled Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines in 2015, where he held mass in Tacloban for the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 and celebrated Mass with millions of Filipinos in Luneta.

“His presence, prayers, and preaching have confirmed us in faith, enlivened our hope, and animated us to charity. And indeed, we fondly recall his special love for Filipinos all over the world,”Advincula added.

Cardinal Pablo David, his mass at Caloocan City, said Pope Francis '' was a shepherd who walked with the people, often choosing the dusty road toward the peripheries rather than the comfort of the center.''

The Vatican announced late Monday that Pope Francis’ death was caused by a stroke and irreversible heart failure, according to the death certificate released by Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli.

Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica St. Mary Major in Rome on Saturday as he requested in his Spiritual Testament. Yzabela Velez-White/DMS