Pope assures BBM of his prayers


Pope Francis has assured President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr of his prayers.

Pope Francis and Archbishop Charles John Brown in the Vatican in December, 2018. (VATICAN MEDIA FILE PHOTO)

Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown shared the message of the pontiff to Radio Veritas Wednesday, June 29.

“I send my congratulations and cordial wishes to Your Excellency as you begin your mandate as the President of the Republic,” the Pope said in his message.

"I'm assuring you of my prayers that you will be sustained in wisdom and strength. I invoke Almighty God’s blessings of peace and prosperity upon the nation," he added.

Archbishop Charles Brown was among the ambassadors who paid a courtesy call on Marcos on June 10.

The archbishop, who is also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, described their meeting as “very productive and encouraging."

“The president-elect assured me of his desire to collaborate, cooperate closely with the church and Holy See,” Brown said in a previous interview.

Marcos will take oath as the country’s 17th president at the National Museum on June 30.

Church officials have earlier assured they will work with the incoming administration for the common good.