Malacañang has extended its congratulations to the new pontiff, Pope Francis, and expressed hope that he will be the voice for peace, justice, and charity across the world.

 

President Spokesman Edwin Lacierda welcomed the "joyful news" about the election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as the first Latin American pope, saying the administration looks forward to cooperation with the Holy See.

 

"The President, along with the Filipino people, joins all the Catholic faithful as they receive their new leader and meet his proclamation with a sense of boundless promise. As the first pope from outside Europe in a millennium—the first pope from the Society of Jesus, and the first from Latin America—the election of Pope Francis brings with it the promise of renewal in the Catholic Church, as it strives to fulfill its mission here on earth," Lacierda said.

        

"We hope and pray that this will inaugurate a pontificate that will bear witness not only to the basic tenets of the Gospel, but will also serve as a voice for peace, justice, and charity in a world threatened by tension and armed conflict, poverty, uncertainty, and loss of confidence in institutions," he added.

 

Lacierda noted that this is not only a time for Catholics to come together but also for all people across the world to unite and work with the papacy "towards shaping a world in which each and every human being is allowed to live a life of peace, joy, and dignity." "Our administration is eager to work with the new Catholic leadership to achieve that end," he said.

        

"Again, congratulations to Pope Francis. May God continue to grant you strength and wisdom as you lead the Catholic Church into its next chapter," he added.