Filipino Faith on Display: Hundreds Attend Pope Leo XIV's First Audience

Filipino Faith on Display: Hundreds Attend Pope Leo XIV's First Audience Vatican City – Hundreds of Filipinos from across the globe converged upon St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, for the first general audience of Pope Leo XIV. The event, which drew a massive crowd from various nations, held particular significance for the Filipino community. "Daan-daang Pilipino mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo ang dumalo," reported Pia Gonzalez-Abucay, a stringer for GMA Integrated News, directly from St. Peter's Square. (Hundreds of Filipinos from different parts of the world attended.) The palpable excitement was evident throughout the audience. A particularly enthusiastic response erupted when Pope Leo XIV specifically acknowledged the large Filipino contingent present. This moment, captured in a short video by GMA News, showcased the strong ties between the Philippines and the Vatican. The video also showed the reporter speaking about the event and the importance of the Pope's message of peace and unity. The event served as a powerful testament to the global reach of the Catholic faith and the vibrant Filipino Catholic community worldwide.