Pope Francis Offers His Prayers for President Bongbong Marcos

We've had most world leaders congratulate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at this point. Now, it's the pope's turn.

Pope Francis had congratulated the president on his inauguration as the 17th President of the Philippines on June 29, a day before his inauguration at the National Museum in Manila.

"I send my congratulations and cordial wishes to your excellency as you begin your mandate as the president of the republic," wrote the pope. “In assuring you of my prayers that you will be sustained in wisdom and strength, I invoke Almighty God’s blessings of peace and prosperity upon the nation.” 

The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown had read out the message during the Pope’s Day Mass at the Manila Cathedral. He had also let Marcos know that there will be he gets the church's backing, writing that he will have the "collaboration and the support of the Catholic Church as he takes on the weighty responsibility of his office.”

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"We had a very productive, encouraging and positive discussion. The president-elect has assured me of his desire to collaborate and cooperate closely with the church and the Holy See," Archbishop Brown added.