Philippine Catholic archdioceses welcome Pope Leo XIV

Roman Catholic archdioceses in the Philippines on Friday morning congratulated Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost who was chosen as the new Pope during the conclave on Thursday afternoon in the Vatican.

Prevost, 69, chose the name Leo XIV and is the first ever pontiff from the United States.

Habemus Papam! (We have a Pope!) said the Archdiocese of Caceres in a Facebook post.

“We welcome Pope Leo XVI, our new shepherd and the 267th successor of Peter. Let us pray for our new Holy Father!”

“With overflowing joy, the Church proclaims: Habemus Papam! We have a Pope!” said the Diocese of Legazpi on Facebook.

“Let us rejoice and pray for our new Holy Father as he begins his ministry as the successor of Saint Peter. Viva il Papa!”

The Archdiocese of Capiz prays for the new Pontiff, an Augustinian.

“Viva il Papa! Our new Pope! The 267th Pope of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV. We pray for our new Pope and the whole Catholic Church.”

The Archdiocese of Cebu also welcomed the new leader of the Catholic Church.

“Bringing to the Papacy his expertise in Canon Law, and his years of Pastoral Experience in the Order of Saint Augustine, we hope and pray for a fruitful Papacy, and that Pope Leo XIV would bring us forward into the Modern Age, especially as we journey through the Jubilee Year,” it said.

“Magkalipay! Maghinugyaw! Mag-ampo para sa Bag-o nga Santo Papa!” said the Archdiocese of Jaro in the local dialect.

The Archdiocese of San Fernando offered a prayer for Pope Leo XIV in Kapampangan.

In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Leo said: “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue, and missionary evangelization.

He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013. — Tristan Lozano with AP

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