In brief
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has roots in the Order of St. Augustine, a small yet impactful religious community. His leadership is expected to reflect the order's values of charity, truth, and community engagement.
The leader of the Order of St. Augustine, Rev. Alejandro Moral Antón, felt the pressure when his phone buzzed with inquiries about the new pope, Leo XIV, and his connection to their religious order. With fewer than 3,000 members worldwide, the order's principles are now in the spotlight, particularly as the world learns that Leo XIV is the first Augustinian pope. Raised with the order’s ideals since age 14 and ordained in 1982, Leo has roots that align with their focus on community, truth, and dialogue. Pope Leo's journey, which includes a stint as a missionary in Peru and 12 years leading the Order, has garnered him significant ties within global church leadership. Historians suggest that Leo may prioritize outreach and conversational decision-making, embodying the Augustinian spirit, which promotes unity and charity. This approach also aims to resonate with the current papal vision of creating a more inclusive and participatory church environment.
