March 15, 2013 - Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines has issued a glowing
assessment in welcoming the Catholic Church’s new pontiff, Pope Francis. Calling
the new pope an “extraordinary person,” the prelate who is Archbishop of Manila, on
Thursday thanked all those who had supported and prayed for the cardinals during this
week’s conclave. “We never felt alone, even for a moment,” said the cardinal who
is currently in Rome. He is one of the youngest among the 115 cardinal electors who
participated in the Conclave that elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina
as Pope, Wednesday night. Following the election, Cardinal Tagle said he approached
Pope Francis to assure him of the support of his nation of 90 million people who had
inevitably hoped and prayed that their countryman would be chosen to be the new pope.
“I have high hopes for the Philippines. May your faith prosper, as well as your devotion
to Our Lady and mission to the poor,” Cardinal Tagle quoted Pope Francis as saying.
Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, president of the country’s bishops’ conference, welcomed
the newly elected pope, saying he is a known defender of traditional Church doctrines
as well as of social justice.