Filipinos on Friday (May 9) expressed well wishes for Pope Leo XIV, as people across the country - Asia's largest Catholic population - welcomed the newly elected pontiff.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, a long-time missionary in Latin America, was elected as the surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday (May 8), becoming the first U.S. pope and taking the name Leo XIV.

Filipino Catholics who attended morning Mass in Manila said they were happy that new pope had been selected without much delay, even if he was not from their own country. Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, sometimes called the "Asian Francis", was touted as one of the leading frontrunners for the new pontiff.

The Philippines is home to more than 80 million Catholics, or nearly 80% of the population, making it one of only two majority Christian nations in Asia along with tiny East Timor. Roman Catholics comprise about 80 percent of the more than 110 million Philippine population.