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
Parish Youth Ministry members at Imus Cathedral said they hope Pope Leo XIV will carry forward Pope Francis’ inclusive stance toward the LGBTQIA+ community.
Jambs Cariaga, 22, was among those who rushed to the cathedral on Friday midnight upon watching the livestream of the conclave.
“On the way home po, nakita po namin na nag-white na po 'yung smoke sa chimney ng Sistine Chapel so nag-rush po kami papunta dito and nandun po yung kaba at excitement na malaman kung sino yung susunod na magiging Santo Papa,” Cariaga said.
“Kahit hindi po from the Philippines yung napiling maging Santo Papa, we are very happy and we all have a reason to celebrate because we have a new pope po na magli-lead sa buong Catholic Church," she added.
Cariaga said she is optimistic that the new pontiff will embrace diversity within the Catholic Church.
“Since I am part of the LGBTQIA+ community… I hope na katulad po ni Pope Francis, kung ano man po ‘yung nasimulan niya, sana po isa rin po ‘yun sa ipagpatuloy niya… (maging) welcoming sa iba’t ibang klaseng tao at iba’t ibang sectors po ng lipunan,” she said.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, with papal name Pope Leo XIV, was elected as the new pope on Friday, following the death of Pope Francis.
He is the first American pope and the 267th occupant of the Throne of St. Peter in Vatican City.
Soft-spoken Prevost is first pope from US
RELATED VIDEO: