Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter’s Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Tiziana Fabi, AFP
MANILA — A new chapter unfolds as the world welcomes the 267th Pope, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the first American pontiff, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a former missionary in Peru.
The Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, is one of the fastest popes to have been elected in the history of the Catholic Church.
“In the recent past, ito na ‘yung pinakamabilis kasi parang umabot lang yata ng four ballots. ‘Yung factors siguro dito is even before kino-consider na nila itong si Cardinal Prevost, so ibig sabihin baka naman napakinggan na nila ‘yung background doon sa general congregations,” said Fr. Jerome Secillano, spokesperson, CBCP.
The cardinal electors may have considered that Pope Leo XIV holds a high-profile position in the Vatican as the head of the Dicastery for Bishops, working together with the Pope in appointing bishops all over the world.
“’Yung kanyang background din, tsaka canon lawyer, and he speaks many languages, polyglot ika nga. ‘Yung kanyang style and approach always talking about the poor,” said the spokesperson.
His papal name, Leo, signifies the recognition and honoring of the poor and the laborers.
“The name that he chose Leo XIV, ang background kasi neto si Leo XIII ang focus nito karapatan ng mga manggagawa, dignity, free trade, right to association, alam mo yung social doctrines, so in essence ang focus pa rin mga mahihirap,” said Fr. Secillano.
The spokesperson said the CBCP and the entire Filipino Catholic nation are obedient in following and supporting the papacy of the new pope.
In the coming days, no grand fanfare is expected to happen, but dioceses from all over the country are expected to offer thanksgiving mass for having a new supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church.
