The House of Representatives has expressed its collective sense in congratulating His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election last May as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
The lower chamber did so by adopting in plenary last week House Resolution (HR) No. 2301, authored by ranking congressmen led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte's 1st district.
The resolution hailed the ascension of Pope Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost--as a “pivotal moment in the continued strengthening of the Catholic faith” and a source of inspiration for the global Catholic community.
Pope Leo XIV, elected on May 8, 2025, became the first American Pope in the Church’s history and the first Supreme Pontiff from the Order of Saint Augustine.
He chose the name Leo XIV, drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIII, known for his groundbreaking social teachings, including his advocacy for workers’ rights and fair wages.
The House lauded the new Vatican leader for choosing the episcopal motto “In Illo Uno Unum” or “In the One, we are one,” drawn from St. Augustine’s exposition on Psalm 127.
The motto, the resolution noted, “promotes unity and communion in the Church,” and reflects the Pope’s lifelong commitment to faith, dialogue, and inclusivity.
“The election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, as the Vicar of Jesus Christ, marks a pivotal moment in the continued strengthening of the Catholic faith, and as the Supreme Pastor, Prime Witness to Faith and Unifier of the people of God, His Holiness stands as a beacon of harmony and peace, fostering unity among all believers,” the resolution stated.
The House also recognized Pope Leo XIV’s decades of ecclesiastical leadership, missionary work, and theological scholarship.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, to a multicultural family of French, Italian and Spanish descent, he pursued priestly formation with the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.), professing solemn vows in 1981 and being ordained in 1982.
He earned his Master of Divinity at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and later completed his Doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome.
Pope Leo XIV served as Prior of the Augustinian Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Chicago, and was elected Prior General of the entire Augustinian Order for two terms.
He later became a missionary in Peru, where he served as Bishop of Chiclayo and Apostolic Administrator of Callao, and was later appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America before being elevated to Cardinal-Bishop of Albano in February 2025.
“As the Supreme Pastor, Prime Witness to Faith and Unifier of the people of God, His Holiness stands as a beacon of harmony and peace,” the resolution pointed out, as the solons lauded the Pope's leadership in “building bridges between Christian and non-Christian communities” and guiding people “toward a shared path rooted in the spirit of human fraternity and the pursuit of global peace".
Pope Leo XIV succeeded Pope Francis, who passed away last April 21 at the age of 88.
A copy of the HR No.2301 will be transmitted to the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila for forwarding to the Holy See.
The resolution was co-authored by Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez, House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos, and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Romualdez and Jude Acidre.