Tovic Salvador

Holy Spirit has already chosen next pontiff — priest

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746599965442495587540_1162859075889347_73658712627730685_n.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"> Mass offered on May 7, 2025 for the conclave at the Manila Cathedral presided by Fr. Vicente Gabriel S.J. Bautista, vice rector of the Manila Cathedral. <em>Darylle Sarmiento, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — As the world awaits the historic moment where white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, Catholics in Manila fervently pray that the cardinal electors taking part in the conclave will be able to determine who will best lead the Catholic Church.</p><p>In a mass at the Manila Cathedral, Msgr. Rolando Dela Cruz said that the next pope has already been chosen by the Holy Spirit. </p><p>“The task now of the cardinal electors is to try to discover who among them has been chosen,” he said.</p><p>He encouraged the public to pray that the cardinal electors will be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.</p><p>Many archdioceses throughout the country have issued prayers for the forthcoming conclave.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/5/7/history-beckons-as-cardinals-gather-to-elect-new-pope-1256">History beckons as cardinals gather to elect new pope<br/></a></div><p>In a Circular dated May 2, the Archdiocese of Manila called on the public to pray for the College of Cardinals as they chose the 267th pope. </p><p>“We request you to enjoin the faithful to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, personal prayer and the praying of the rosary in solidarity with the whole Church,” it read.</p><p>Parishes and communities under the archdiocese are also encouraged to recite the Prayer for the Election of a Pope after the Post Communion Prayer in all Masses until a new pope is elected.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PRAYERS FOR A PINOY POPE</strong></div><p>While churchgoers believe that the papacy is destiny, they also remain hopeful that the next pontiff will be Filipino.</p><p>“Since tayo ay merong tatlong cardinal na kasali na maging susunod na Santo Papa. Napakalaking karangalan na ma-elect bilang Santo Papa kahit sino sa mga Pilipinong kasama. Para maipagdasal niya ang Pilipinas at buong mundo para sa katahimakin, kapayapaan, pagmamahalan,” said Nenita Protacio Dizon.</p><p>(Since we have three cardinals who will be voting at the conclave, it is really a proud moment for us. I hope one of them will be elected so that he can pray for the Philippines and the entire world for peace and love.)</p><p>Tess Arceo, another churchgoer, says she prayed for the election of Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as the next pontiff because of his amiable personality.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/5/7/what-does-a-pope-do-1328">What does a pope do?<br/></a></div><p>“Very approachable siya. Mahusay siyang magsalita sa mga tao. Ang kaniyang personality, madaling makakuha ng loob,” she said.</p><p>The first vote of the conclave is set to start today, 5:30 p.m. at the Vatican (11:30 p.m., Philippine time).</p><p>Should no pope be elected during the first vote, the Conclave will proceed the following day with cardinal electors voting two times in the morning and two times at night until one gets at least two thirds of the votes of the electors present.</p>

<p>As the world awaits the historic moment where white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, Catholics in Manila fervently pray that the cardinal electors taking part in the conclave will be able to determine who will best lead the Catholic Church.</p>

As the world awaits the historic moment where white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, Catholics in Manila fervently pray that the cardinal electors taking part in the conclave will be able to determine who will best lead the Catholic Church.