Filipino cardinal electors call for prayers for Pope Leo XIV

The three Filipino cardinals who participated in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV urged the people on Friday to pray for the new pontiff as they expressed optimism about his papacy.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Avincula said the new pope picked the name Leo after Pope Leo XIII, who was known for his social teachings.

"He does not forget what is happening around," Advincula said at a press conference at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, adding that the ministry of the new pope is expected to cover not just spirituality but also social issues.

Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said the faithful should help each other now that there is a new leader that the people can look up to.

He said that Catholics have been blessed as God has given the people great and hardworking popes over the years.

Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who was recently appointed in a temporary capacity as pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, said the gatherings in the Philippines had become the standard for papal visits.

"Kapag napag uusapan yung mga pagbisita ng mga Papa sa ibang bansa, standard ay ang Pilipinas, he said.

(When papal visits in other countries are discussed, the standard is the Philippines.)

Over five million people were at the World Youth Day celebration in Manila in 1995 which then Pope John Paul attended.

"Nalagpasan ni Pope Francis with six million," said Tagle, referring to the visit of the late Pope Francis to the Philippines in 2015.

(This was surpassed by Pope Francis with six million.)

Personal observation

Tagle said Pope Leo XIV, when he was prior general of the Order of St. Augustine, visited the country several times.

"He has fond memories of the Philippines, sana mabigyan natin ng karampatang pagmamahal, panalangin," he said.

(I hope we can give him enough love and pray for him.)

He also said that during the congregations of cardinals before the conclave, they were seated beside each other.

"He is a very level-headed person, hindi yan yung tao na impulse o reaction ang nagbibigay ng direction sa kanya," Tagle said.

The new pope, whose real name is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the kind of person who practices discernment before making a decision.

One interesting trivia that Tagle shared was that the new pope has boisterous laughter.

"If tumawa siya napakalakas!" he said, adding that was "very human." 

(He laughs loudly.)

Pope Francis legacy

David explained that another title of the pope is "Pontifex maximus'' or ''supreme bridge builder, symbol of pagkakaisa, pag-uugnay (unity and connection)."

It is possible that there could be a continuation of the mission of Pope Francis without being a clone.

"He (Pope Leo) treasures the memory of Pope Francis, and that was a big deal to us. You know how much we love Pope Francis... the pope of mercy and compassion," he said.

"This is going to be a good papacy," he added. — BAP, GMA Integrated News