Catholics in the Philippines welcome the new the pope - Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio - with a prayer.<br/> <br />Filipino Catholics say they will throw their support behind the 76-year-old pope, and are optimistic that he can deal with the church's challenges.<br/> <br />Faithful in Beijing offered up prayers of their own.<br/> <br />Beijing and the Vatican broke formal diplomatic relations shortly after the Chinese Communists took power in 1949.<br/> <br />The Vatican says it is willing to start talks with China.<br/> <br />But China says the Vatican must first sever ties with Taiwan, which China considers a renegade territory.<br/> <br />One Catholic woman said politics aside, she remains faithful.<br/> <br />In Seoul, Pope Francis' election was met with praise and prayer.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) CATHOLIC PRIEST LIM DONG-GUK SAYING:<br/> <br />"I congratulate him on being elected as new pope. Our colleagues and faithful will pray for the new pope. I sincerely hope the new pope will spiritually lead us a lo
