Pope Francis recalls Filipinos calling him 'Lolo Kiko' as he speaks about the elderly

Published March 11, 2015 11:22pm

Almost two months since his visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis still remembers the "Lolo Kiko" nickname Filipinos fondly gave him.

During his General Audience at the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Pope Francis talked about the importance of grandparents in the family.

He recalled that the Filipinos called him "Lolo Kiko" during his apostolic visit last January 15-19, as tweeted by Vatican reporter Gerard O'Connell.

Pope speaks about grandparents in the family. In the Philippines they called me "Lolo Kiko" Grandpa Francis pic.twitter.com/wMijFsGNSF

— Gerard O'Connell (@gerryorome) March 11, 2015

"Although society tends to discard us, the Lord certainly does not," Pope Francis said, as quoted by Vatican Radio.

Pope Francis also explained why the Church needs the elderly to pray for its people.

The pope also urged the young to dismiss today's "throwaway culture" by listening to the older generations.

"Young people listen to their grandparents," the Pope said.

The weekly General Audience at St. Peter's Basilica is when Pope Francis meet the visitors and pilgrims of the Vatican, preach briefly and give his apostolic blessing. — Trisha Macas/ELR, GMA News

Tags: popefrancis, vatican