Before he was Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Prevost visited PH several times

Before becoming pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, visited the Philippines several times, according to James Agustin's report on Unang Balita on Friday.

One of the places he visited was the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila.

In 2010, the Intermediate General Chapter of the Order of Saint Augustine in the Philippines was held, which was led by former Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. 

One of those who accompanied him was Genesis Labana, OSA, who was just a seminarian at the time. Fr. Labana, now a Filipino Augustinian priest, is currently studying in Rome. 

He witnessed the first appearance of the new Pope on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, which made him very emotional.

Fr. Labana said that he last saw Cardinal Prevost last Monday at the Augustinian General Curia who he greeted when they saw each other in the kitchen.

In January, he was also the one who recorded Cardinal Prevost's video message for the 40th anniversary of the inauguration of the Augustinian province of Sto. Nino de Cebu.

"Nagkita kami sa likod ng kitchen namin nagkasalubong kami ako papasok siya papalabas 'yung moment na 'yon sabi niya sa akin, 'Oh' it was in English, sabi niya 'Oh Genesis, how are you? Na-surprise ako kasi he remembered my name," Fr. Labana said.

"I never expected that with that very short encounter with him," he added.

Another Augustinian priest who had a close encounter with the new Pope is Fr. Jonas Mejares, OSA. He said he he had lunch with Cardinal Prevost, whom he thanked for sending the video message to the Philippines.

Fr. Mejares was very happy with the appointment of the new Pope, whom he described as someone who is "good person."

"He is a very good man, very cool, really when you see him you think he is strict but when you get close to him he has a good heart," said Fr. Mejares. 

(He is a very good man, very cool, really when you see him you think he is strict but when you get close to him he has a good heart.)

"He is a person who is really well equipped in pastoral matters, he is good in administration because he became our prior general for two terms," ??he added. 

(He is a person who is really well equipped in pastoral matters, he is good in administration because he became our prior general for two terms.)

The two Augustinian priests hope that the Pope will visit the Philippines again. —VAL, GMA Integrated News