Fr. Eusebio Berdon, OSA, fondly recalls the man now known as Pope Leo XIV — Robert Francis Prevost — simply as “Bob.” He says Prevost would always take his hand to perform the mano in a gesture of respect rooted in Filipino tradition during their years of service together.
Fr. Berdon served as the assistant prior for the Asia-Pacific region from 2001 to 2007, working directly under then-prior general Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, in Rome. Their close working relationship fostered a deep friendship.
Born in Antique in 1948, Fr. Berdon was ordained in Rome in 1976. By 1979, he had become director of the San Agustin Seminary in Intramuros. From 1984 to 1988, he served as the first prior provincial of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu-Philippines. He returned to the role in 1992, while concurrently serving as president of the University of San Agustin from 1992 to 1995.
From 1995 to 2001, Fr. Berdon worked as assistant prior for Asia-Pacific and Africa under then-prior general Fr. Miguel Ángel Orcasitas, OSA, before continuing in the Asia-Pacific role under Fr. Prevost from 2001 to 2007.
Today, Fr. Berdon is the prior or superior of the Santo Niño Spirituality Center in Tolo-Tolo, Consolacion, Cebu. This center was solemnly blessed by then-prior general Fr. Prevost in 2009, a moment Fr. Berdon fondly remembers, along with other visits of his friend to the Philippines.
Among these visits was the 25th Canonical Inauguration of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu–Philippines and the celebration of the eight day of the novena for the 2009 Fiesta Señor at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. Fr. Prevost presided over the mass and was deeply moved by the massive sea of devotees in attendance.
Fr. Berdon describes Pope Leo XIV as a joyful, hardworking and approachable person — someone deeply connected to the common people. Upon learning that his friend had become Pope, Fr. Berdon was overjoyed but not surprised. “He is very qualified,” he said. “I’ve worked with him for years; I know his heart.”
Fr. Berdon sends his sincere congratulations to Pope Leo XIV and encourages him to continue the Augustinian mission of unity, harmony and service to the poor. When they meet again, Fr. Berdon says with a smile, “I will still offer him the mano, to my friend Bob, now the pope.”