Pope Francis congratulates Marcos in message shared by papal nuncio

Pope Francis congratulated president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ahead of his inauguration on Thursday.

Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown shared the message of the Pope on Wednesday.

“I send my congratulations and cordial wishes to your excellency as you begin your mandate as the president of the republic,” the Pope said.

The Pope also assured Marcos of his prayers to “sustain wisdom and strength” for his new administration.

“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,” he added.

Brown said he also expressed his congratulations to the president-elect during his courtesy visit with him last June 10.

“He and his new administration can be sure of the collaboration and the support of the Catholic Church as he takes on the waiting responsibilities of his office,” he added.

Marcos’ inauguration as the 17th president of the Philippines will be held on June 30 at the National Museum in Manila. —LBG, GMA News

[Watch video of Archbishop Brown reading the Pope's message, posted by Catholic community Dominus Est on YouTube.]