Page 21 - Hello Philippines February 2016 'B' issue

February 2016 / Fortnightly – No. 4 • UK & Europe Edition
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MANILA - A doll in His Holiness’
likeness brought a smile on Thursday
to a surprised Pope Francis, who
exclaimed spontaneously, “Lolo Kiko!”
The pontiff’s reaction was testimony
of the love that Pope Francis has for the Father. For months on end, he would
Filipino people, said Fr. Robert Young,
a priest from Batanes (but originally
from Bacolod) and currently residing
in Pontificcio Colegio Filipino in Rome.
The Lolo Kiko doll was sent from the
Philippines to Fr. Young in Rome, as a
gift from a friend, in July 2015 and,
since that time, the priest had always
longed for a chance to personally hand
it to the Pope. An opportune turn of
events had never come about, though,
to make his wish come true. Until
Thursday, that is.
Studying toward a PhD in Canon
Law at Pontifical University of the
Holy Cross, Fr. Young received the
Pope Francis doll as a gift from a
friend who runs the company that
has been making dolls since 1972 and
exporting these to the United States
for the Precious Moments Company,
among others.
The Lolo Kiko dolls are distinctive
for their teardrop-shaped eyes. They
were selling like hot cakes during the
Pope’s visit to the Philippines.
Robert Young received his doll six
months after the Papal visit, and was
determined to hand it to the Holy
try and conjure up a situation that
would allow this to come true.
No guts, no glory. In an e-mail
message to News5, Fr. Robert narrated
that, traditionally, on the Thursday
after Ash Wednesday, the Pope as
Bishop of Rome would meet with the
Clergy of Rome at a regular annual
event that, this year, was held at
the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the
cathedral of the Bishop of Rome).
After a brief talk with the clergy,
Pope Francis excused himself because
he had to prepare for his trip to
Mexico, skipping the regular greetings
and handshakes with the bishops and
priests.
Fr. Robert, seated at the second
row when the Pope descended from
the platform to exit, realized this was considered his fleeting encounter with
the chance he had been waiting for:
“I thought I had to do something, as
I wouldn’t have another chance like
this. So, I crossed the center aisle
NEWS www.hello-philippines.com 21
and ran after him and shouted ‘Santo
Padre!’” The picture of the brief encounter between a beaming Pope Francis and Fr. Robert Young (second from
right), involving the Lolo Kiko Doll freshly unwrapped from its plastic packaging, as posted on the Facebook
The bishops and priests were page of Vatican Radio English Service.
momentarily taken aback, Fr. Young
said. With all eyes on him, he advanced Fr. Young in approaching the Pope Fr. Robert offered the postscript
toward Pope Francis. “When I reached transpired providentially without that he felt quite embarrassed, not
him I told him in Italian, ‘Here’s a gift the pontiff’s Swiss guards hovering because of his unpremeditated
for you, made in the Philippines by a around him, “Natuwa ako. Naisahan audacity that caught everyone by
friend of mine.” ko ang guards nya. (I was so happy I surprise, but because the doll was still
managed to pull one over the guards). wrapped in its plastic packaging. “So,
The Pope smiled readily and looked I was able to come near him. They I had to remove the plastic in front of
at the Filipino priest, and uttered in swarmed while we were conversing, the Pope.” Such bliss, indeed, for Fr.
the most joyous way: “Ohhh, Lolo and the Pope handed over the doll Robert Young. n Carla Lim / News5 / February
Kiko!” And quickly saying, in Italian, over to one of his guards.”
“Grazie! (Thank you!)” 12, 2016 / 6:24 pm
Fr. Robert said he kissed the
Pope’s hand and felt ecstatic that the
Pontifex never forgot the Philippines,
as manifested by his spontaneous
utterance of the nickname “Lolo Kiko”
(Grandfather Kiko), as the throng of
faithful in the Philippines referred to
him with deep respect and affection
everywhere he went during his 2015
visit to the country.
Blissful feeling. The Filipino priest
Pope Francis “an eternity”, believing
that such a once in a lifetime moment
literally may not come about again.
Moreover, this bold move by