Truth, Unity & Love: Pope Leo XIV
From Chicago classrooms to the balconies of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV carries the Augustinian spirit into his mission — blending prayer, humility, and a shepherd’s heart to remind the world of three timeless gifts: truth, unity, and love.
Truth, Unity, and Love: The Augustinian Spirit of Pope Leo XIV
Marking the feast of St. Robert Bellarmine on September 17 — Pope Leo XIV’s saint’s day — the Augustinian family and the universal Church pause to reflect on a man whose very life is steeped in prayer, community, and mission. For the Augustinians, his election was not just history in the making; it was an invitation for the world to rediscover the treasures of St. Augustine: veritas, unitas, caritas — truth, unity, and love.
Fr. Robert Hagan OSA, head of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, has known Pope Leo XIV — formerly Fr. Robert Francis Prevost — for nearly three decades. His testimony is striking: “He has this incredible combination of a prayerful relationship with the Lord and a loving desire to be with the people. This son of Augustine is now the Good Shepherd for all of us.”
Hagan recalls personal moments with him, from the time Prevost served as provincial in Chicago to his years as prior general of the Augustinians. “I took my vows before him when he was prior general. He was kind, approachable, and deeply human. Seeing him now as Pope, you realize why God chose him.”
Augustinian Foundations
Leo XIV’s papacy draws strength from the timeless wisdom of Augustine. As Fr. Hagan notes, “Pontifex means bridge-builder.” The Pope’s words and gestures echo Augustinian accents: a call to peace, friendship, and community. His message is disarmingly simple yet profound: the world most needs truth, unity, and love.
This clarity resonates deeply. Calm, clear, and accessible, Leo XIV has captured the hearts of many. Young people find themselves invited anew, and even those who had drifted away from faith are sensing an open door. His style is less about authority and more about fraternity — a shepherd’s voice that unites rather than divides.
A Missionary Heart
Though American, Leo XIV’s pastoral heart was shaped far from home. He spent 20 years in Peru, living among the poor, learning not just their language but their culture. “He didn’t just serve — he belonged,” Hagan reflects. “For us, as prior general, he was like a mini-Pope already.” His missionary spirit continues to define his leadership: humble, close to the people, and globally attentive.
‘That’s Our Brother’
The day of his election is still fresh in Augustinian memory. Fr. Hagan recalls the joy in Villanova’s provincial office: “People were crying, laughing, hugging. Students said: he walked on these same paths, studied in these classrooms, ate in these cafeterias — and now he’s Pope.” It was a family moment that quickly became a global one.
In his first months, Pope Leo XIV has emphasized peace and reconciliation. On September 15, addressing the Augustinians’ General Chapter, he reminded his brothers: “The ineffable gift of divine charity is what we must look to if we want to live our community life and apostolic activity to the fullest.” His words carried both warmth and challenge, urging them to live in fraternal joy and become apostles of the Gospel in today’s world.
A Shepherd for Today
As the world navigates division and uncertainty, Pope Leo XIV stands as a bridge-builder. His life — prayerful yet practical, humble yet firm — embodies the Augustinian spirit of truth, unity, and love. For the Church and beyond, he is not only the successor of Peter but also the brother who walks with us.
