Churches and religious institutions across the Philippines have welcomed the election of Pope Leo XIV with messages of joy, gratitude, and prayer, hailing the Augustinian missionary and former Vatican official as a beacon of hope for the global Church.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., a Chicago-born prelate and longtime missionary in Latin America, was elected on May 8 as the 267th successor of St. Peter.
Shortly after his election, he appeared before the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Catholic leadership.
In a statement issued from Intramuros, Manila, on May 9, Fray Dante M. Bendoy, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of the Philippines, described the election as “a divine blessing, not only for the Order of St. Augustine but for the entire Universal Church.”
“Habemus Papam! Today, the Church rejoices! We thank the Lord for His abundant grace in this extraordinary moment—the gift of a new Holy Father, our brother and fellow Augustinian, Fray Robert Cardinal Prevost OSA, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV,” said Fray Bendoy.
“As Augustinians, we take pride and joy in his election,” he continued. “We remember his many visits when he was still our Prior General… he left a lasting impression on us. We cherish the memories of his warm presence, the Mass he celebrated with us, his humility, and the photos we shared.”
“While it is a great gift, it also comes with its challenges—a cross to bear for the good of the Church,” Fray Bendoy added. “But let us be reminded that, just as our Holy Father Augustine did, there is always grace on the cross.”
The Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP) also issued a message of thanksgiving. Quoting Jeremiah 3:15—“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding”—the CMSP said it rejoices “with the Universal Church in the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.”
“We, consecrated men and women in the Philippines, welcome the new Holy Father with filial devotion and synodal solidarity,” the statement read. “In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we see in Pope Leo XIV a living sign of God’s faithfulness and a beacon for a Church called to be poor with the poor, a field hospital for the wounded, and a prophetic voice in an often fragmented world.”
The CMSP said it looks forward to his leadership “in deepening the Church’s commitment to justice, peace, integrity of creation, interreligious dialogue, and the care of our common home.”
In Pampanga, St. Scholastica’s Academy in San Fernando released a message from its directress, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB, on behalf of the Scholastican community.
“Deo gratias! With hearts uplifted in praise and thanksgiving, the entire Scholastican community… joyfully welcomes the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV,” said Sr. Mananzan. “We witness the Holy Spirit once again moving powerfully through the College of Cardinals, gifting the world with a shepherd after God’s own heart.”
The Benedictine community of St. Scholastica’s Academy described the election of Pope Leo XIV as a call to renewed discipleship, truthfulness, and joyful service, in line with its commitment to Ora et Labora and the formation of faith-driven, principled young people.
Messages of goodwill also came from ecumenical partners. The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), a national church with historic ties to the Catholic tradition, extended its greetings “with fraternal joy and prayerful solidarity.”
“The Iglesia Filipina Independiente extends its warmest greetings to the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines on the historic election of Pope Leo XIV,” said IFI Obispo Maximo, The Most Rev. Joel O. Porlares.
IFI expressed hopes that Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate would be marked by wisdom, courage, and grace in proclaiming the Gospel and leading the Church with humility and strength.
It also affirmed its desire for continued mutual respect and deeper cooperation between the two Churches in their shared mission of service to the Kingdom of God.
