Cardinal Luis Tagle, nagpahayag ng pasasalamat sa lahat ng sumuporta sa kanila sa Conclave

- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has expressed his gratitude to all those who supported him and his fellow cardinals in the recent conclave

- He said that the whole process was a spiritual learning when it comes to the ministry in the Church

- The good cardinal also said that all of them should be disciplined and not get carried away with thoughts of being a candidate, as reported by GMA News

- He said it will boil down to, "Haharap ako sa Diyos na huhusga sa akin"

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who supported him and his fellow cardinals during the recent papal conclave where Pope Leon XIV was chosen.

Speaking with humility and sincerity, the cardinal acknowledged the trust of the faithful who believed some of them could possibly be chosen as the next pope.

“Maraming salamat sa nagtiwala sa amin, na inisip Ninyo na puwede kaming posibleng maging papa,” Tagle said.

However, he emphasized that the entire experience was far more than a political process — it was a profound spiritual journey.

He described the conclave as a moment of reflection and learning about the essence of ministry in the Church.

“Ito ay isang spiritual learning sa atin na when it comes to the church ministry in the Church, ang criteria, ang approach ay hindi katulad ng nangyayari sa mundo,” he noted, distinguishing the Church’s discernment process from worldly systems of selection and ambition.

Cardinal Tagle further stressed the need for discipline among the cardinals, reminding them not to get carried away with thoughts of being a candidate.

“Disiplinado dapat kaming lahat na hindi isipin magpadala na 'Kandidato ako'... Walang kandi-kandidato dito,” he said.

Ultimately, he grounded the experience in a deep spiritual truth.

“Balik ka roon sa babanggitin mo sa pagboto mo. ‘Haharap ako sa Diyos na huhusga sa akin.’”

This solemn reminder, Tagle said, brings them back to the heart of their calling — to serve not for recognition, but in accountability to God.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, made history as the first American to be elected to the papacy. Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, he entered religious life early and became a member of the Augustinian Order. He was ordained a priest in 1982 and served in various capacities, including as a missionary in Peru, where he gained deep pastoral experience and a reputation for humility, compassion, and strong leadership.

Prevost was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015, before being called to Rome in 2020 to serve in the Roman Curia. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a key role in shaping the global leadership of the Catholic Church. His deep understanding of Latin American communities and his multilingual abilities positioned him as a bridge between diverse cultures within the Church.

Known for his theological insight, administrative skill, and pastoral heart, Pope Leo XIV is seen as a unifying figure. His election reflects the Church’s growing recognition of global voices and signals a new chapter for Catholicism in the 21st century. As pope, he is expected to continue promoting unity, outreach, and reform within the Church.

Source: KAMI.com.gh