Insights into Pope Leo XIV’s upbringing in the Order of St. Augustine and its impact on his papacy ambitions.
Pope Leo XIV: The Augustinian Roots of a New Papacy
Pope Leo XIV: The Augustinian Roots of a New Papacy
How a small religious order shaped the leader of the world’s Catholics.
In a surprising turn of events, the recent elevation of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to Pope Leo XIV has sparked global curiosity about the lesser-known Order of St. Augustine, a religious community with a modest membership of around 3,000. Rev. Alejandro Moral Antón, the current leader of the Order, described the whirlwind of inquiries he has received since the papal announcement, reflecting on the sudden spotlight now cast on the Augustinians.
Father Moral Antón, who has been awake since the early hours of the morning tending to phone calls, humorously relayed an anecdote about his dentist calling regarding a missed appointment – an excuse easily attributed to the chaos surrounding the papal transition. “The new pope is an Augustinian!” he exclaimed, highlighting the Order’s role in shaping the new pope’s character and convictions.
Pope Leo XIV, who began his journey with the Order at age 14 before being ordained in 1982, has a strong connection to its ideals. His missionary work in Peru, coupled with more than a decade of leadership within the Order in Rome, established a network that may have played a crucial role in this historic papal election.
The influence of the Augustinian doctrine emphasizes principles such as charity, truth, and unity – concepts that the new pope is expected to champion throughout his papacy. Observers anticipate that Pope Leo XIV could enhance the emphasis on missionary outreach and foster a culture of dialogue and shared decision-making within the Church, aligning with the synodal vision promoted by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
"This Holy Father will undoubtedly draw inspiration from communion and dialogue," said Pierantonio Piatti, a historian with the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences. As the Church looks toward the future under Pope Leo XIV, the tight-knit community of the Order of St. Augustine prepares to support a reinvigorated approach to leadership and engagement within the global Catholic community.
Father Moral Antón, who has been awake since the early hours of the morning tending to phone calls, humorously relayed an anecdote about his dentist calling regarding a missed appointment – an excuse easily attributed to the chaos surrounding the papal transition. “The new pope is an Augustinian!” he exclaimed, highlighting the Order’s role in shaping the new pope’s character and convictions.
Pope Leo XIV, who began his journey with the Order at age 14 before being ordained in 1982, has a strong connection to its ideals. His missionary work in Peru, coupled with more than a decade of leadership within the Order in Rome, established a network that may have played a crucial role in this historic papal election.
The influence of the Augustinian doctrine emphasizes principles such as charity, truth, and unity – concepts that the new pope is expected to champion throughout his papacy. Observers anticipate that Pope Leo XIV could enhance the emphasis on missionary outreach and foster a culture of dialogue and shared decision-making within the Church, aligning with the synodal vision promoted by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
"This Holy Father will undoubtedly draw inspiration from communion and dialogue," said Pierantonio Piatti, a historian with the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences. As the Church looks toward the future under Pope Leo XIV, the tight-knit community of the Order of St. Augustine prepares to support a reinvigorated approach to leadership and engagement within the global Catholic community.
