Marcos congratulates new Pope Leo XIV

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. congratulated Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States on his election as the new Pope, Leo XIV, and successor to Pope Francis.

Marcos conveyed the congratulations on behalf of the Philippines to the new pontiff, who is set to lead the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.

He expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV will continue to bring the Church closer to the poor and disadvantaged.

The President stated that the Filipino people are praying for the new pope's strength and good health.

Marcos added that he prays Pope Leo XIV will lead the faithful with grace, wisdom, and compassion.

Cardinal Prevost, a 69-year-old Augustinian priest from Chicago, is the 267th pope and the first pontiff from the US and the Americas.

Before becoming pope, then-Fr. Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, had visited the Philippines during his time with the Order of St. Augustine.