Dear Pope Francis

My name is Allan Lumban I am a 34 year old Filipino man. I am a nobody in the Philippines but I have never thought not even a day that I am powerless in making a change in our country. When I was young, I knew that I was destined to see the pope. My father and mother are strong believers of the Catholic faith. In fact my parents went to Luneta park to see Pope John Paul II. Unfortunately they were not able to have a glimpse of him because there were too many people there. One day my father left the keys to his office which was in Raon Manila and asked me to take it to him. I took the LRT and the LRT broke down while I was in it. The cab that I was in stopped right in front of the Papal Nunciature and I saw Pope John Paul II as he was waving to everyone during that day. I was in the cab dead center right above him and he waved at me as well as the others in the cab. I immediately felt the influence and the charisma of the pope to Filipinos. I knew from that moment on that I have a destiny.

Pope Francis, I hope that all the Gods in all religions will conspire to allow my open letter to reach you. Our country is in need of holy intervention and in need of a miracle. Many of our people though you will see them going to church every Sunday has lost understanding of faith. Our people go to church but disregards others on their way to church, while in church, and after they go to church. They have forgotten that the ultimate form of worship is to serve and respect your fellow man. Many priests in this country have also lost their way and fail to provide leadership and spiritual guidance to our people. I do not know if you have heard that many are taking donations from corrupt politicians. Our politicians put themselves first above all and will not give you a true state of the country. I know you will not believe them. As you travel the city of Manila please look beyond the façade that they have made for you, you will see their faces in ambulances, fire trucks, banners, road projects and bus stops etc. The proof that they put their own interest above all is the  poverty that you will see around you. In a country of 100 million people where everything is being taxed and a 30 to 32% tax rate, there should be no poverty if the money is not being pocketed by our selfish leaders. Almost all of our corrupt politicians are Catholics or Christians. They think that if they pray every Sunday, ask for forgiveness from God and sponsor a church, all of their sins will go away. Almost all churchgoers have the same mindset that “it is ok to do bad things as long as you go to church every Sunday and ask for forgiveness”. Pope Francis, I have seen 3 Popes in my lifetime and I am fortunate that I have lived this long to see a Pope like you. I am Catholic but I respect all religions even those who do not believe in God. I have many friends who are Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, Sikhs, born again Christians and would like to meet more. I have traveled to many countries so that I will be able to understand the world’s religions. I have found that every person who believes in God have one thing in common and that is “Fear”. All Gods offer protection and salvation to everyone who believes in them. Fear of the unknown is what causes people to gravitate to God.

Pope Francis, as you stand in the sea of people in our country I hope that you will send a strong message of change. I hope that you will send a message that our people should rely on their fellow man. Respect each person, each person from any other religion, and from any class. People will help people and people are creations of God. If people help others, that is already the protection and salvation that God promised. The best thing about our people is they listen and believe easily. This is also the worst part of us. Our people believe the wrong people which lead our nation astray. I know your words will be powerful and will resonate in years to come. You words will never be forgotten and your message will guide our nation to healing and wellness. Our problems are easy to solve compared to the problems of other nations. So your guidance will definitely push us in the right direction. Your honesty will be appreciated.

Pope Francis, I have a wonderful wife from whom I feel God’s love everyday. I also have a 2 year old daughter and another child coming our way. I am fearing that if you do not send an honest and truthful message to our leaders and our people, our own people and leaders will destroy our country in my life time. I know that you are not God but you are the most influential person in the Catholic world if not the world itself. The words of the pope resonate in the whole of human history. Pope Francis, please know that this is a once in a lifetime chance to push a nation to the right direction. I am looking forward to seeing you.

Sincerely

Allan Lance Lumban