President Marcos has congratulated newly elected Pope Leo XIV, expressing hope that the new pontiff will lead the Catholic Church with compassion and bring it closer to "the poor and disadvantaged."
Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
PBBM, VP Sara congratulate Pope Leo XIV; Marcos prays for compassion-driven papacy
Philippines
National
PBBM, VP Sara congratulate Pope Leo XIV; Marcos prays for compassion-driven papacy
PBBM, VP Sara congratulate Pope Leo XIV; Marcos prays for compassion-driven papacy
Published May 09, 2025 13:06 pm
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Updated May 09, 2025 15:15 pm
At A Glance
- Marcos assured the new Pope of the prayers of the Filipino faithful for strength and good health, "as he leads the faithful with grace, wisdom, and compassion."
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Pope Leo XIV (Malacañang/AP photos)
In a statement, the President extended his congratulations on behalf of the Filipino people to the 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States, who was elected as the new head of the Catholic Church.
"As the new pontiff, who took the papal name Leo XIV, ascends the Chair of St. Peter and assumes the mantle of Bishop of Rome, I pray that he will continue to bring the Church closer to the poor and disadvantaged," he said.
Marcos also assured the new Pope of the prayers of the Filipino faithful for strength and good health, "as he leads the faithful with grace, wisdom, and compassion."
"May his life and ministry inspire us to persevere in our daily walk with our Lord Jesus Christ," he added.
In her message, Vice President Sara Duterte also congratulated the new Pope, saying Leo XIV's election unites over 80 million Filipinos worldwide in deep gratitude to God for guiding the College of Cardinals in their discernment and prayer.
"We celebrate this historic day with renewed hope and devotion. It inspires us to deepen our commitment to prayer, service, and the Gospel values that bind us as one family in Christ," she said.
"We pray that Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate will awaken a revitalized spirit of faith in every parish, every community, and every heart," she added.
Under Pope Leo XIV's leadership, Duterte said she looks forward to a Church that fosters dialogue across faiths and cultures, promotes solidarity among nations, and tirelessly works for peace.
"May his guidance open new paths for reconciliation, understanding, and cooperation in our troubled world," she said.
Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome, was elected following a two-day conclave to succeed Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago and served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops before his election. A member of the Order of St. Augustine, he previously served as bishop in Peru and was widely known for his work with poor communities in Latin America.
Pope Leo XIV is the first American to ascend to the papacy in the Catholic Church's two-thousand-year history.
The new Pope has visited the Philippines multiple times during his ministry in the early 2000s.