The Catholic Church in the Philippines mourns the passing of Fr. Luciano Felloni, a beloved priest, vlogger, and advocate for the marginalized, who died on Sunday at the age of 51 following a brief battle with cancer.
The Diocese of Novaliches confirmed his passing in a statement, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of one of its most dedicated pastors.
“With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Fr. Luciano Felloni today,” the diocese said. “Please keep Fr. Felloni and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this difficult time.”
Fr. Felloni had been undergoing treatment for skin cancer since last year. In November 2024, during a gathering of Catholic vloggers, he openly shared his health struggles, and on January 17, he posted about the challenges of his treatment journey.
“Cancer treatment is a real rollercoaster,” he wrote. “One day you are super ok and the next you are down with fever.”
A Life Dedicated to Evangelization and Social Service
Born in Argentina, Fr. Felloni first gained media attention in 2015 when Pope Francis visited the Philippines. He recounted how the then-Bishop Jorge Bergoglio led spiritual recollections for seminarians and often heard their confessions.
Arriving in the Philippines in the early 2000s, Fr. Felloni embraced his mission wholeheartedly. His first assignment was in Payatas, Quezon City, where he was assigned as the parish priest of Mother of Divine Providence Parish, ministering to one of the country’s most impoverished communities.
Later, he served as the parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Caloocan City, where he became known for his compassionate leadership in a community-based rehabilitation program for drug dependents during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. His advocacy provided a pastoral response to a crisis that claimed thousands of lives, demonstrating the Church’s commitment to mercy and healing.
His final assignment was at Jesus, Lord of the Divine Mercy Parish in Mapayapa Village, Quezon City, where he continued to serve with zeal and dedication. He also served as the social communications director of the Diocese of Novaliches.
A Digital Missionary and Influencer for Christ
Beyond his parish work, Fr. Felloni was a trailblazer in digital evangelization. His popular vlog, AlmuSalita, became a source of spiritual nourishment for many Filipinos, offering daily Gospel reflections that reached thousands worldwide. The name, a creative fusion of “almusal” (breakfast) and “salita” (word), reflected his mission to make God’s word a daily staple for the faithful.
He was a consistent winner at the Catholic Social Media Awards, earning the title of Male Social Media Influencer from 2017 to 2019, which earned him a place in the Hall of Fame.
Fr. Felloni’s legacy will continue to inspire Catholics to live out their faith in both the physical and digital mission fields. As his community grieves his passing, they also celebrate his life—one filled with unwavering faith, service to the poor, and a deep love for the Gospel.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.
Society of Jesus' social apostolate 