“Father Robert is a man of peace with a gift for attentive listening, with a serene disposition rooted in community life and communal prayer.” Father Pasquale Di Lernia, secretary general of the Order of St. Augustine, shares his gratitude and joy at the election of Pope Leo XIV. After many years of brotherly friendship, he still calls him ‘Father Robert’. Upon completing his mandate as Prior General of the Augustinians in 2013, Prevost returned to his Province, where he took on several positions, including as director of formation.” Shortly thereafter, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru.
“He always maintained an ongoing relationship with the Order. In fact, it could be considered a distinguishing characteristic of his character: being fully immersed in various ministries while also cherishing his love for community life and for the Order.”
In fact, community life remained central even when Prevost was summoned to Rome to serve as Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. “Even though he did not live here, he came every day to attend Mass and join in the prayers. He participated in community life and frequently visited the General Curia until the day of the Conclave.” Father Di Lernia describes Leo XIV as “a gentle, thoughtful and even-tempered shepherd”, always available to offer a listening ear. “These qualities of his have been widely recognised not only now, but long before his election,” he adds. Gentleness and a gift for listening have been his defining traits throughout his life – points out the Augustinian cleric – earning him admiration and esteem even when he held less high-profile roles after his term as Prior General came to an end.
The new Pope travelled extensively throughout his life. “I lost count of how many times he travelled around the world,” says Father Di Lernia. “He visited communities of the Order spread across all continents. This missionary experience contributed significantly to his personal spiritual development.” Despite his international responsibilities and extensive travel, Prevost maintained a close bond with the Order of St. Augustine and its values.
“His election was a deeply emotional moment for all of us, a source of joy and also of awe at the responsibility it brings”, says Fr Di Lernia
The worldwide Augustinian community experienced this as a call to renew its commitment, in the awareness that one of its brethren is now sitting on the Throne of Peter.
When asked which of the Augustinian virtues he considers to be most evident in the new Pontiff, Father Lernia responds without hesitation: “Humility, a foundational virtue for Augustine, alongside the pursuit of peace.’ This was immediately evident in his first words as Pope: peace was mentioned ten times in his first speech. He is an Augustinian and a man of peace who seeks unity in truth, in accordance with the teachings of St. Augustine.”
Father Di Lernia sees Leo XIV as a man who is “keenly attentive to the modern world.” In fact, in his first public speeches, the Pope mentioned artificial intelligence as one of the challenges of our present times. “I am convinced that the Church, through the Magisterium of Leo XIV, will develop a reflection on the positive implications of artificial intelligence in order to prevent its potential from being misused for destructive purposes.”
“His ability to promote a constantly open dialogue with a view to bridge-building is especially impressive. His missionary experience has enhanced his understanding of different cultural contexts, while his Augustinian identity, which distinguished him throughout his life, remains intact.”
The Augustinian community came together in heartfelt celebration of their confrere, in a display of gratitude for the love and dedication that Leo XIV consistently demonstrated towards the Order. “The choice of name is significant,’”concludes Father Di Lernia. It clearly refers to a great Pope, Leo XIII, deeply dedicated to consecrated life and the rebirth of the Order.” Peace, gentleness and humility, which are central to St Augustine’s thought, seem to be reflected naturally in the new Pontiff’s journey. The Order’s spiritual heritage emerges in the simplicity and profundity of his gestures, which speak to the heart of the universal Church and are open to the challenges of the contemporary world with courage and discernment.
