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Opinion

Guide Filipinos next please, our dear Holy Spirit!

Charry Ballescas - The Freeman

Last March 13, 2013, blessed with being awakened shortly after 12 in the morning, I was able to witness, via livestream, the introduction of Pope Francis as our new Pope!

Gratefully, about the same time, May 9, 2025, I was blessed to be awakened to join, once again, via livestream, the thousands in St. Peter’s Square and throughout the world who waited and witnessed the announcement: “Habemus Papam" - "We have a pope!”

While waiting, to be honest, part of me asked, “will the next pope be Filipino?”

Then, the moment of truth and light emerged against the background of the setting sun at the Vatican!

Pope Leo XIV --former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the Order of Saint Augustine-- was elected by the Conclave as new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics!

He is the first ever North American Pope, elected after the first ever South American Catholic leader, Pope Francis!

More information about Pope Leo XIV will expectedly be shared widely from here on. Some initial information about him noted that he is from Chicago, with a degree in Math, and is multilingually fluent in English/Spanish/Portuguese/Italian/French.

He is relatively a young Pope, 69 years old (born September 14, 1955). Also, he had been a Cardinal only since September 30, 2023!

He was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015 and in April 2023 was appointed by Pope Francis as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops --the powerful Vatican office responsible for overseeing the appointment of Catholic bishops worldwide.

Below are translation highlights of his May 9 speech (delivered mostly in Italian/occasional Spanish):

“Peace be with you!

“This is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for God's flock. I too would like this greeting to reach every family, every people, and the whole earth: peace be with you.

“This is the peace of the risen Christ, a peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. It comes from God, who loves us all unconditionally.

“We continue to hear the faint but always courageous voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome and gave his blessing to the entire world that Easter morning. Allow me to echo that blessing.

“God loves us all unconditionally and evil will not prevail. We are all in God's hands. Therefore, without fear, all united by the hand of God and among ourselves, let us move forward.

“We are disciples of Christ.

“Christ goes before us and the world needs His light.

“Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love.

“We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.

“To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.

“Today is the day of the Supplicatio [plea] to Our Lady of Pompeii.

“Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love.

“So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.

“We ask for this special grace from Mary, our mother.”

Together, let us thank the Holy Spirit for guiding the Conclave to elect God’s chosen Pope Leo XIV!

Together, let us also pray for the Holy Spirit to guide Filipinos to elect and proclaim God’s chosen servant-leaders next Monday, May 12, 2025!

May God save our country and allow the victory of his genuine/honest/chosen servant leaders!

POPE FRANCIS

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