President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. congratulated Friday Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost for being chosen as the new pope, hoping that the new Catholic Church leader would bring the Church closer to the poor.

''On behalf of the Philippines, I congratulate Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States on his election as the successor of Pope Francis and leader of the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church,'' Marcos said in his speech.

''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 added.

Marcos said Filipinos are also praying for the new pope's strength and good health as he would lead 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,'' Marcos said.

UPDATED: Marcos congratulates Pope Leo XIV, hopes he'll bring Church closer to poor

Anna Felicia Bajo

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. congratulated Friday Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost for being chosen as the new pope, hoping that the new Catholic Church leader would bring the Church closer to the poor.

“On behalf of the Philippines, I congratulate Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States on his election as the successor of Pope Francis and leader of the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church,'' Marcos said in his speech.

“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 added.

Marcos said Filipinos are also praying for the new pope's strength and good health as he would lead 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,'' Marcos said.

Alyansa bets

Some senatorial candidates of Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas also voiced their sentiments about the new Pontiff.

Former senate president Vicente Sotto III expressed hope that the new Pope would be similar to Pope Francis.

“Sa akin po, una sa lahat ang panalangin ko sana ay si Pope Leo XIV bale si Cardinal Robert Prevost ay maging pareho ng pananaw ni Pope Francis,” Sotto said in a separate press conference.

(I hope that Pope Leo XIV would have the same vision as Pope Francis.)

“Maganda ‘yong naging perspective niya at maganda rin ‘yong pagbukas ng kaisipan sa kabuuan ng Simbahang Katolika. So ‘yon. Sa atin naman sana maging matagumpay pa rin at magpatuloy ang relasyon ng Pilipinas sa Vatican,” he added.

(He has a good perspective, especially in opening our minds about the Catholic Church. We are also hoping that the Philippines and the Vatican maintain a good relationship.)

Former senator Panfilo Lacson, for his part, expressed hope that Prevost would be instrumental in addressing conflicts around the world.

Meanwhile, ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo sought prayers so that the new Pope would reign successfully.

The 69-year-old Augustinian priest is the 267th pope, the first ever pontiff from the United States, and the second pope from the Americas after his immediate predecessor Pope Francis.

Prevost is the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo in Peru, where he worked as a missionary. Although born in Chicago, he also holds Peruvian citizenship.

The 133 cardinals under the age of 80 began the heavily ritualized and secret process on Wednesday, shut away in complete isolation as they voted to pick a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News