Cebu archdiocese: Pope Leo XIV, then Fr. Prevost, visited PH twice

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

NEW PONTIFF. Then Father Robert Prevost of the Order of Saint Augustine, now Pope Leo XIV, leads a Holy Mass at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila, during his visit to the Philippines in September 2010 for the congregation’s Intermediate General Chapter. The new Pope will shepherd more than 1 billion Catholics around the world. (Photo courtesy of Fr. Genesis Pacaldo Labana/Facebook via PNA)

MANILA – Before he was elected as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV had visited the Philippines on two occasions in the past.

In a social media post on Friday, the Archdiocese of Cebu said the new pontiff, then Fr. Robert Francis Prevost, visited the province in 2004 as the Prior General of the Augustinians.

He also blessed the Augustinian Friary of Mohon, Talisay City during his visit.

The newly elected pope, Leo XIV, was elected on Thursday (Friday, Philippine time) by the College of Cardinals during the papal conclave inside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican that lasted two days.

On the other hand, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News reported that the last visit of the then Father of the Order of Saint Augustine, was in September 2010 for the congregation’s Intermediate General Chapter.

He also celebrated a Mass at San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila.

Pope Leo XIV is the 267th leader of more than 1 billion Catholics worldwide. His election was announced by Cardinal Proto-Deacon, Dominique Cardinal Mamberti.