Long before his election as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV—formerly Robert Francis Prevost—visited the Philippines, leaving behind a spiritual legacy fondly remembered by Filipino Catholics.
Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Pope Leo XIV’s Philippine visit remembered after historic papal election
Philippines
National
Pope Leo XIV’s Philippine visit remembered after historic papal election
Pope Leo XIV’s Philippine visit remembered after historic papal election
The new Pope visited Cebu and Manila, highlighting his deep connection with Filipino Catholics
Published May 09, 2025 11:46 am
|
Updated May 09, 2025 12:32 pm
At A Glance
- Before becoming Pope, Robert Francis Prevost had a deep connection with Filipino Catholics, particularly through his 2004blessing of the Augustinian friary in Talisay City and his return in 2010 for a major Augustinian gathering.
- Elected after Pope Francis' death, Pope Leo XIV is the first Augustinian and first American-born Pope, marking a historic shift in Church leadership with significant global and regional relevance.
- The Archdiocese of Cebu and Filipino faithful have responded with thanksgiving Masses and public prayers, expressing joy and spiritual kinship with the new Pope rooted in his past visits and personal connections.
Courtesy of the The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu / Facebook
Following his election, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu on Friday, May 9, recalled the new Pope’s 2004 visit—when, as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, he blessed the Augustinian friary in Mohon, Talisay City.
In a separate Facebook post, CBCP News said that Father Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, returned to the Philippines in September 2010 for the congregation’s Intermediate General Chapter of Augustinian leaders, further underscoring his early ties with the Filipino faithful.
Courtesy of CBCP News and Fr. Genesis Pacaldo Labana / Facebook
During that 2010 visit, CBCP News noted that the future Pope also celebrated Mass at San Agustín Church in Intramuros, Manila.
Historic election
Cardinal Prevost was elected Pope on the second day of the conclave, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. White smoke from the Sistine Chapel at 12:08 a.m. (Manila time) on May 8 confirmed his election.
His papacy marks several historic firsts: he is the first Pope from the Augustinian Order, the first American-born Pope, and the second Pope from the Americas—after Pope Francis.
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Francis Prevost was ordained an Augustinian priest in Rome on June 19, 1982. He later served as Provincial of the Augustinians in Chicago before being elected Prior General in 2001.
Key milestones in his ministry:
- Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo, Peru (2014)
- Consecrated bishop (December 2014)
- Named Bishop of Chiclayo (2015)
- Served in the Congregation for the Clergy (2019) and the Congregation for Bishops (2020)
- Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (2023)
- Created cardinal (September 30, 2023)
He holds a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas and brings decades of pastoral, academic, and missionary experience to the papacy.
Thanksgiving Masses and public prayer
The Archdiocese of Cebu has invited parishes to offer a “Mass for the Pope” in gratitude for the new Holy Father. His name will now be included in the Eucharistic Prayer at all Masses.
“Since the new Pope was elected on a weekday, our parishes and communities are requested to celebrate the Mass ‘For the Pope’ (Roman Missal, Masses for Various Needs or Occasions) or ‘For the Pope’ (Sakramentaryo, Masses for Various Needs or Occasions),” the Archdiocese said.
“The readings of the day will be used. The following prayer can also be said (in place of the Oratio Imperata for the Nation) to express gratitude for the gift of a new Holy Father,” it added.
The Archdiocese also urged the faithful to reflect on the Church’s heritage and “look to the future with hope,” drawing symbolic parallels to Pope Leo XIII—the last pontiff to bear the name Leo, who led the Church into the modern era beginning in 1878.
Filipino cardinals among electors
Historic first: Three Filipino cardinals — Jose Advincula, Luis Antonio Tagle, and Pablo Virgilio David — made history by joining the papal conclave to elect the next pope.
Three Filipino cardinals—Luis Antonio Tagle, Jose Advincula, and Pablo Virgilio David—participated in the conclave, highlighting the Philippines’ growing influence in the global Church.
A spiritual bond rekindled
As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate, Filipino Catholics—like Filipino Augustinian priest Fr. Genesis Labana—are recalling on social media the times he walked among them: blessing communities, celebrating sacraments, and embodying the missionary spirit that now leads the universal Church.
“It is with great joy that I witness this historic moment as an Augustinian,” Labana said in a Facebook post.
Labana noted that just last January, he met then-Cardinal Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV—while recording a video message. “My New Year's Day was spent with him in a very short and tense moment,” he said, recalling his closest encounter with the new Pope, along with a photo.