Philippines Catholics Hope, Pray for Asias First Pope, Straits Times, February 12, 2013

Philippines Catholics Hope, Pray for Asia's First Pope

Straits Times
February 12, 2013

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/se-asia/story/photo-gallery-philippines-catholics-hope-pray-asias-first-pope-20130213

A worker hangs a portrait of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines (right) next to a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI inside the Roman Catholic Archbishop headquarters in Manila on Feb 12, 2013. With attention turning from Europe to the "new" world, worshippers in the Philippines prayed quietly and took to social media on Tuesday in the hope their cardinal might be chosen as the next leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

With attention turning from Europe to the "new" world, worshippers in the Philippines prayed quietly and took to social media on Tuesday in the hope their cardinal might be chosen as the next leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

Many Catholics in the Philippines, the largest Christian community in Asia, were shocked by Pope Benedict's resignation, including their charismatic leader, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

(From left) Roman Catholic clergy from Latin America cited as being possible candidates to be the next Pope: Brazilian cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, Sao Paulo Archbishop Odilo Scherer, and Argentine cardinal Leonardo Sandri, taken in Rome between 2007 and 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

(From left) Roman Catholic clergy from Latin America cited as being possible candidates to be the next Pope: Brazilian cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, Sao Paulo Archbishop Odilo Scherer, and Argentine cardinal Leonardo Sandri, taken in Rome between 2007 and 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

In this photo taken on October 21, 2003, at the Vatican shows cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada who appears like one of the cardinals likely to succeed to Pope Benedict XVI who announced on Feb 11, 2013, will step down at the end of this month after an eight-year pontificate. -- PHOTO: AFP

In this photo taken on October 21, 2003, at the Vatican shows cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada who appears like one of the cardinals likely to succeed to Pope Benedict XVI who announced on Feb 11, 2013, will step down at the end of this month after an eight-year pontificate. -- PHOTO: AFP

In this photo taken on May 18, 2012, photo shows Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan, gesturing during a press conference in Milan, Italy. -- PHOTO: AP

In this photo taken on May 18, 2012, photo shows Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan, gesturing during a press conference in Milan, Italy. -- PHOTO: AP

In this photo taken on Nov 20, 2010, shows then newly-appointed Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasiv (left) congratulated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano (second from right), after being elevated by Pope Benedict XVI during a consistory inside St Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican. -- PHOTO: AP

In this photo taken on Nov 20, 2010, shows then newly-appointed Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasiv (left) congratulated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano (second from right), after being elevated by Pope Benedict XVI during a consistory inside St Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican. -- PHOTO: AP

In this photo taken on Nov 26, 2007, Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer of Sao Paolo is applauded during an audience with Pope Benedict XVI and the new cardinals in the Paul VI hall at The Vatican. -- PHOTO: AP

In this photo taken on Nov 26, 2007, Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer of Sao Paolo is applauded during an audience with Pope Benedict XVI and the new cardinals in the Paul VI hall at The Vatican. -- PHOTO: AP

n this photo taken on April 18, 2005, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio attends a Mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, as the cardinals who will elect a new Pope made their last public appearance before sequestering themselves inside the Sistine Chapel later in the day. -- PHOTO: AP

n this photo taken on April 18, 2005, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio attends a Mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, as the cardinals who will elect a new Pope made their last public appearance before sequestering themselves inside the Sistine Chapel later in the day. -- PHOTO: AP

In this photo taken on Nov 24, 2007, Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri poses for a picture during a meeting with relatives and friends at the Vatican. -- PHOTO: AP

In this photo taken on Nov 24, 2007, Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri poses for a picture during a meeting with relatives and friends at the Vatican. -- PHOTO: AP

In this photo taken on Feb 19, 2012, Brazilian Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz is congratulated by a faithful prior to a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican a day after installing 22 of them as cardinals. -- PHOTO: AP

In this photo taken on Feb 19, 2012, Brazilian Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz is congratulated by a faithful prior to a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican a day after installing 22 of them as cardinals. -- PHOTO: AP