Long before stepping onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as the newly elected pope, Pope Leo XIV once celebrated Mass at San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila.
In the early hours of Thursday (May 9), Cardinal Robert Prevost was introduced as the new leader of the 1.4 billion Roman Catholics worldwide after the traditional “Habemus Papam” announcement.
Following Pope Leo’s first appearance, Fr. Genesis Pacaldo Laban shared a Facebook post showing the then Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine presiding over several Masses in the Philippines.
“15 years ago, from September 19-30, 2010, the Order of Saint Augustine held their Intermediate General Chapter in the Philippines,” Labana wrote.
“The venues were in San Agustin Church, Intramuros; Colegio San Agustin – Biñan; and the University of Regina Carmeli in Malolos, Bulacan. Here are some of the photos with former Prior General Robert Prevost, OSA now Pope Leo XIV,” he added.
In a separate post, the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu, Philippines also welcomed his and called o the faithful to pray for Pope Leo XIV as he begins his ministry as the 267th Supreme Pontiff.
Now that he’s pope, many are asking: Will he return to the Philippines?
