On this First Anniversary of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, his official diplomatic envoy to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, presided over a Thanksgiving Mass at the Sto. Niño Parish in Mactan, Cebu.

The Papal Nuncio is currently in Cebu in conjunction with the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, bringing with him the Holy Father’s presence and solidarity with the Filipino faithful.

In his homily, Archbishop Charles John Brown highlighted the profound connection between the day’s Gospel and the election of Pope Leo XIV exactly a year ago.

Recalling the Gospel passage, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you,” the Papal Nuncio said these were the very words Christ seemed to have spoken to Pope Leo at the moment of his election to the Chair of Saint Peter.

“Jesus said to Pope Leo one year ago today: ‘It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you,’” Archbishop Brown reflected.

He emphasized, however, that Christ’s message is not reserved for the Holy Father alone, but is a truth shared by every Christian. He reminded the faithful that no one chooses his own existence, but that each person is lovingly chosen and created by God for a purpose.

“Each of us has a role in God’s plan. God has chosen you. God has picked you. God made you,” the Papal Nuncio said. “And God wants you to know Him more deeply. That encounter happens through Jesus, because Jesus is God’s revelation to us.”