Pope Leo XIV has expressed interest in visiting the Philippines, potentially coinciding with his scheduled trip to Asia in 2027, according to Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David.

In a recent interview, David confirmed that the Catholic Church in the Philippines has formally extended an invitation to the pontiff.

“Ang alam kasi namin si Pope Leo ay pupunta ng Korea. And that's going to be, I think, in 2027,” David said.

“Syempre, it would be nice kung nasa Asia na siya, if he could swing by the Philippines, ganon. And we sent a letter, sort of communicated na he would be most welcome sa Pilipinas kung dadalaw siya.”

The Cardinal also noted that the Pope maintains a deep affection for the Filipino people.

A potential visit would not be the pontiff's first time on Philippine soil. Before his election to the papacy, the Pope visited the country as a bishop during his tenure with the Augustinian order. His previous travels included stops in Manila and Cebu, providing him with a firsthand connection to the nation’s religious landscape.

Church officials are eyeing 2027 as the most logical window for the visit. Pope Leo XIV is already expected to travel to South Korea that year to preside over World Youth Day.

David suggested that the proximity of the South Korean event makes a Philippine leg of the journey geographically and logistically practical. While no official dates have been set by the Vatican, the Philippine clergy remains optimistic that the "swing by" will materialize.

If the visit occurs, it would mark the fourth time a pope has traveled to the Philippines, which remains the most populous Catholic nation in Asia.

The most recent papal visit took place in January 2015, when Pope Francis traveled to Manila and Leyte to console survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan. Previous visits include those by Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1981 and 1995.