Bishops lead prayers following death of ex-president Noynoy Aquino

June 25, 2021 - 11:56 AM
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Manila's new Archbishop, Cardinal Jose Fuerte Advincula, makes the sign of the cross during his installation ceremony at the Manila Cathedral in Manila, Philippines, June 24, 2021. (Aaron Favila/Pool via Reuters)

Cardinal Jose Advincula, the newly installed archbishop of Manila, and other bishops have offered their prayers following the death of former President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday.

READ: Cardinal Advincula installed as Manila archbishop

After his installation Mass, Advincula told the faithful, “We were informed of the sad news of the passing away of our former President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III”.

“Let us entrust him to the mercy of our loving father and let us pray for the eternal repose of his soul,” he said.

Among those present were dozens of bishops and more than 300 priests and lay faithful.

The former president died at the age of 61 after being hospitalized in Manila.

Aquino was the country’s 15th president, serving from 2010 to 2016, following the death of his mother, former president and democracy icon Corazon Aquino.

His namesake father, a senator and one of the most critical voices who opposed the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos was assassinated in 1983.

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