5 Delightful “Filipino traits” we see in Pope Leo XIV

On May 18, we marked the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s installation Mass. There has already been extensive commentary on his first year as the Successor of St. Peter – much of it coming from the United States, where he was born. In the Philippines, however, the milestone passed rather quietly in the press.

A year ago, it was a different story. Local newspapers carried photos and stories of Filipinos who had met him during his years as Prior General of the Augustinians. As an Augustinian priest, he visited the Philippines at least nine times, most recently in 2013, when he inaugurated and blessed the order’s pre-novitiate in Intramuros. So while he may be North American by birth, Filipinos received news of his election with warmth and welcome. That sense of nearness only deepened with the now-famous story of Cardinal Tagle having offered him candy during the conclave to calm his nerves.

As I've followed key stories from his first year as pope, I’ve noticed several traits of Pope Leo XIV that resonate deeply with Filipino cultural values. I list them below, along with an anecdote that illustrates each trait. Most of these stories come from Filipinos who have encountered him personally.

Filipinos are known for their hospitality. We place great value on warm, harmonious relationships with everyone, from the humblest employees to great-grandparents. Scholars often describe this trait as pakikisama — a spirit of fellowship and relational ease that reminds me of the fraternal personality many people have observed in Pope Leo.

One story that surfaced came from Fr. Genesis Labana, OSA, a Filipino Augustinian living in Rome, who bumped into then-Cardinal Prevost on the Monday before his election. They met behind the kitchen of the Augustinian General Curia just as Fr. Labana was leaving and the cardinal was coming in. 

Fr. Labana was surprised when he heard the cardinal greet him, “Oh, Genesis, how are you?” The younger priest did not expect the cardinal to remember his name. 

Later, when Pope Leo returned for the 70th birthday celebration of the order’s Prior General, Fr. Alejandro Moral, he once again greeted Fr. Labana warmly and invited him to take a photo together.

There is a Filipino saying that goes “lumalaban tayo na nakangiti.” A rough translation would be “we fight by smiling,” referring to how many Filipinos carry their crosses without losing joy, as Cardinal Tagle beautifully pointed out here.

When Fr. Prevost visited Cebu in 2009 to celebrate Mass in honor of the 25th inaugural anniversary of the Augustinian Philippine province of Sto. Niño de Cebu, the female staffers of the parish were struck by his ready smile. This simple gesture won their hearts, and when they heard that he was the new pope, they told newscasters they were proud of him. 

One feature that sets Pope Leo XIV apart from his recent predecessors is how much media coverage his family has received since his election. Even President Trump has referred publicly to his older brother Louis and many of us have learned from his younger brother John that the Holy Father continues to speak with his brothers regularly, and with his younger brother daily. 

John Prevost has told various media that during these weekly calls they usually speak about topics that are outside of politics. He explains that for them, family unity is still more important than political loyalties. 

In one of the first interviews John Prevost gave days after the papal election, he quipped that he would miss having his youngest brother come around during summers to help him with home repairs. This detail reveals that even at home, Pope Leo expressed his love through service.  Apparently the Holy Father did still manage to help John get through some computer issues, walking him through the technological problems. This willingness to serve, especially at home, is a trait which Filipino families will find endearing. 

Like many Asian cultures, Filipinos express family devotion and affection less through expressive words and more often through quiet acts of service. 

Priests and laity who know Pope Leo personally have shared that he is known for his gentle, unassuming demeanor. Filipinos call this trait “maamo,” and tend to trust leaders who exemplify this value.  

One anecdote that highlights this trait in Pope Leo comes from Fr. Francis Galvan, OSA, a Filipino Augustinian who now serves as a parish priest in Canada. Fr. Galvan shared that he expects the Holy Father’s gentleness and humility to define his papacy: “He avoids strong personalities. He’s low-key. But when he speaks, he captures everything in a few words.” 

The Pope has not ceased reminding us that our focus must be on following and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Filipino migrants in particular are known to “smuggle” the Gospel into wherever they find work.

A moving encounter this past year was when the Holy Father listened attentively to the story of Lauren Capobres, a Filipina domestic worker who has lived in Lebanon for 17 years. During their encounter, Lauren shared a story of a Sudanese refugee couple who walked three days to find shelter in her parish church. They left their home on the same day the wife gave birth to their second child.   After she shared this heart-wrenching story, she told the Pope, “In their courage, I saw the light of God’s hope.” 

She also told him that whenever her parish priest opens Mass with the simple greeting “Welcome home” she remembers that God’s love always surrounds her,  even if she is far away from home.   

As she told her story, Pope Leo listened to her with attentiveness and palpable compassion. His gaze reminded me of a father wanting to embrace his suffering child. Yet, in the unflinching steadiness of Lauren’s faith, we also see a mirror of the Holy Father’s own courageous faith. 

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From these stories we see that although Pope Leo XIV has never lived in the Philippines, his strengths resonate with values we have honored for centuries and yet, are slowly losing. That our cardinals elected someone like him is a sign for Filipinos that these traditional values are still worth protecting and passing down to our children. 

These traits also explain why many feel drawn to Pope Leo. Before nationality creates familiarity, character does – and that may be why our Holy Father feels unexpectedly close to the Filipino soul. In him, we glimpse a shepherd who rules not with might but with that gentle voice we instinctively trust.