Conclave and local elections — society changers in a volatile world

“Habemus Papam” (We have a pope) was announced before hundreds gathered at St. Peter’s Square Thursday evening, the second day of the conclave, and after the fourth ballot.

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Robert Francis Prevost, 70, under the papal name, Pope Leo XIV, will be the first pope from the US. Pope Leo, who comes from the Order of Saint Augustine, an order dedicated to the service of the poor, was known for his outspoken views about social justice and migration. Born in Chicago, he has dual citizenship in both the US and Peru. He visited Cebu in 2004 and Intramuros in 2010 while still a priest.

Pope Francis, one of the most loved and trusted popes, once described by our own Archbishop Socrates Villegas as “Jesus” of our times, championed policies on social justice, environment, and rights of migrants, women and children and the LBTQ’s, among others.