In the heart of Manila, a young man’s story of resilience and faith has resurfaced amidst the global mourning for Pope Francis, who passed away on April 28, 2025. Jun Chura, now a second-year mathematics student at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), recalls a transformative encounter with the late Pontiff during his 2015 visit to the Philippines—a moment that altered the trajectory of his life as a former street child.
A Moment of Grace Amidst Hardship
At just nine years old, Chura faced unimaginable challenges. After running away from a home marked by neglect, with his father in jail and a stepmother unable to care for him, he and his younger brother survived on the streets of Manila for a year. There, they witnessed peers succumbing to drug addiction, theft, and exploitation. Their fortunes changed when a street educator from the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation, a Catholic Church-supported organization, found them and offered a lifeline. 
That intervention led to a pivotal moment in January 2015, during Pope Francis’ five-day visit to the Philippines. Chura, alongside Glyzelle Palomar, another street child, was among four youths selected to share their stories at the “Encounter with the Youth” event at UST. Their raw, heartfelt testimonies—Palomar’s piercing question about why children suffer and Chura’s silent pain—moved the Pope to abandon his prepared speech. Instead, he spoke from the heart, acknowledging the depth of their struggles and urging the faithful to see more clearly through “eyes washed by tears.”
Chura, then too young to fully grasp the Pope’s words, remembers the embrace that followed. “It was the hug of a father I had always longed for” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “It was warm and it reassured us that everything will be all right.” That gesture, broadcast to millions, left an indelible mark on him, igniting a spiritual and personal transformation.
A Path to Redemption and Education
In the months following the Pope’s visit, Chura’s life took another unexpected turn. The Archdiocese of Manila stepped in to fund his education, from high school through college—a privilege he never imagined possible. “It is a school only for the rich and the smart ones” he reflected on his enrollment at UST. “At that time, I did not think that I deserved to be there.”
Now in his second year pursuing a mathematics degree, Chura lives at a Tulay ng Kabataan shelter and dedicates his free time to teaching younger children at the foundation. His ambition is clear: to become a teacher, lift his family out of poverty, and support other street children. “I feel blessed, but I want to prove that I am worthy of being blessed” he said. “I want to share this blessing with other people.”
Reconnecting with Family
Chura’s journey of healing extended beyond education and faith. For years, he held onto a promise not to cry until he reunited with his mother, whom he had never known. In 2019, through group chats with others sharing his surname, he connected with an aunt who revealed his mother had been searching for him. Their reunion brought joy, despite the complexities of her new family. “She even told me that she watched Pope Francis’ visit on TV” Chura recalled. “She said she saw my face but did not know that I was her son.”
That encounter with the Pope, he believes, intensified his prayers and longing for his mother’s embrace. It’s a testament to the personal impact of Francis’ outreach, which touched not just Chura but countless others across the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic nation where the Church plays a central role in community life.
A Shared Loss and Unfulfilled Promise
News of Pope Francis’ death, which Chura first encountered while scrolling online, left him in disbelief. Having followed the Pontiff’s declining health—from hospitalization in February 2025 to his final Easter Sunday appearance—he struggled to accept the reality. “I was just frozen” he said. “It was as if an important part of me had also died.”
His grief carries a poignant regret. Chura had hoped to one day show the Pope that the street child he met in 2015 was thriving, keeping his promise to finish his studies and help others. “It is just unfortunate that he will not be able to see me finish my studies as I had promised” he shared. Yet, in his resolve to continue his mission, Chura embodies the enduring legacy of Francis’ message of compassion and resilience.
A Lasting Legacy in Manila
As Filipino Catholics join the world in bidding farewell to the “pope of the poor,” stories like Chura’s highlight the profound personal connections Francis forged. His 2015 visit, marked by a focus on the marginalized, resonated deeply in a country where poverty and inequality remain stark challenges. For Chura, the Pope’s words and warmth were not just a fleeting moment but a catalyst for a new life—one he continues to build with determination and faith.
In Manila’s bustling streets, where countless children still face the struggles Chura once knew, his journey stands as a quiet beacon of hope. As he nears the completion of his degree, the promise he made to Pope Francis—to help others like him—remains a guiding light, a personal tribute to a man who changed his world with a single embrace.
