Genesis Labana

On May 8, 2025, as white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel and the election of Pope Leo XIV was officially announced—coinciding with the Augustinian feast of Our Lady of Grace—a sense of joy and familiarity resonated among the Filipino faithful.

The newly elected pontiff, formerly Fr. Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, is no stranger to the Philippines. In fact, he has visited the country nine times—a testimony of his missionary leadership and closeness not only to the Filipino Augustinians but also to every Filipino he encountered.

From 2001 to 2013, Fr. Prevost served two terms as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, leading Augustinians across the globe. During his 12-year tenure, he made frequent and meaningful visits to the Philippines, home to two Augustinian circumscriptions: the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu – Philippines, and the Vicariate of the Orient, which was elevated in 2019 to become the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in the Philippines.

His visits were more than official—they reflected a shepherd style grounded in presence and solidarity. As Prior General, Fr. Prevost’s gestures to his role extended beyond attending major meetings; it required personally visiting communities, praying with the friars, and walking with them in their daily realities.

Although he could have delegated his attendance at intermediate provincial chapters to one of his Vicar Generals, he chose instead to personally preside, underscoring his commitment to fraternity and communion.

This missionary spirit was evident in his consistent engagement with Augustinian houses, formation centers, and ministries across the Philippines.

Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA, in an interview with Frontline Philippines on TV5, recalled his personal encounter with the future Pope during his visit in 2010. Fr. Reyes, present Campus Minister of Colegio San Agustin-Biñan, fondly described him as “a very loving person, a very humble person, and very approachable.” 

A Record of Nine Visits

• 2002 – (February 4-8) Attended the 5^th Intermediate Provincial Chapter at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo.
• 2004 – (February) Participated in the 6th Ordinary Provincial Chapter in Cebu and joined the blessing of the newly-renovated Augustinian Novitiate House and Mohon Friary in Santo Niño de Cebu Parish in Talisay City.
• 2006 – (February) Returned for the 6^th Provincial Intermediate Chapter in Iloilo and celebration of the Augustinian Jubilee Year marking 750 years since the Grand Union.
• 2008 – (February) Presided the 7th Ordinary Chapter of the Province and blessing of the Santo Niño Spirituality Center in Consolacion, Cebu.
• 2008 – (November) and visited Intramuros, Manila for the blessing Professorium of the Seminario San Agustin (Vicariate of the Orient).
• 2009 – (January 15) Presided over the 25th Anniversary Mass of the Inaguration of the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu at coinciding with the 8^th day of the novena mass of the Feast of Santo Niño at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.
• 2010 – (September) Attended the Intermediate General Chapter of the Order of Saint Augustine at the University of Regina Carmeli (now La Consolacion University) in Malolos, Bulacan. The opening and closing masses were respectively held in San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila (September 19) and Santo Niño de Cebu – Parish in Biñan City, Laguna (September 30).
• 2012 – (April) Returned to Cebu to preside the 8th Ordinary Provincial Chapter at the Santo Niño Spirituality Retreat House in Consolacion.
• 2013 – (April) Blessed the pre-novitiate building of the Vicariate of the Orient at San Agustin Church, Intramuros—his final visit before becoming bishop.

His pastoral presence through these years made a lasting impression on Filipino Augustinians and the church.

As Prior General, he celebrated milestones, encouraged vocations, and listened to the hopes and struggles of religious communities across the country including the Augustinians nuns.

A wish to return to the Philippines

Moments before being introduced to the world as the new pope, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan— one of the cardinal-electors and himself from Pampanga, an area evangelized by early Augustinian missionaries—was among the first to greet him “Holy Father, I hope and pray that you get to visit us in the Philippines. My home province in Pampanga was evangelized by the Spanish Augustinian missionaries.” Cardinal David said warmly. With a gentle smile, Pope Leo XIV responded: “Who knows? If God wills it, why not?””

Cardinal David shared this during a post-conclave press conference at the Pontificio Collegio Filipino together with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Cardinal Jose Advincula.

As the first Augustinian and American Pope in modern history, his election brings a special joy to the Filipinos and renews the hope that he may return—this time as the Bishop of Rome.