The universal Church has received a new Pontiff: Leo XIV. The American Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, was elected last Thursday, 8 May, as the 267th successor of Peter.
A missionary in Peru for more than 40 years and, from 2023, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, this new pope marks several historic milestones: he is the first Augustinian pontiff in history and the first with dual American and Peruvian nationality.. His election has aroused great interest not only because of his origin, but also because of the deeply spiritual and fraternal tone of his first appearance as Bishop of Rome. During his first Urbi et Orbi blessing, pronounced from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV did not offer a political or protocol speech, but a message of hope: “God loves us, God loves you all, evil will not prevail!
In his message, the new pontiff expressed his great gratitude to Pope Francis, whose figure was a key figure in the recent evolution of the Church. In his words, he acknowledged his tireless work and his legacy. A path that will continue to be built by the new pontiff, who expressed his desire for a Synodal Church, close, missionary and open to dialogue: ‘We want to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close, especially to those who suffer’.
40 years of mission in Chiclayo
Before becoming pope, Leo XIV was bishop of Chiclayo in northern Peru., He was born in a city that remembers him with affection and that today celebrates with enthusiasm the election of its bishop as Supreme Pontiff. His deep connection with Latin America was evident from the very beginning: In his Urbi et Orbi blessing, he spoke in Spanish, a gesture charged with closeness to the people who have marked his pastoral mission. ‘And if I may also say a word, a greeting to everyone and in a particular way to my dear diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, have shared their faith and have given so much, so much, to continue to be the faithful Church of Jesus Christ,’ the Pope stressed during the blessing.
In his youth, he had begun studying engineering, but soon discovered his true vocation in religious life, which he developed in the Order of St. Augustine, where he cultivated his love for community life and spiritual thought. ‘I am a son of St. Augustine, an Augustinian, who said: ’With you I am a Christian and for you I am a bishop”. In this sense, we can all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us”, Leo XIV pointed out during his blessing.
“In Illo uno unum”
Pope Leo XIV kept the coat of arms and motto he chose at his episcopal consecration: ‘In Illo uno unum’, an expression taken from Saint Augustine in his Exposition of Psalm 127.. These words, which means ‘In Him who is One, one’, express a central conviction of Augustinian spirituality: although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.
In an interview granted to the Vatican in July 2023 while he was still a cardinal, Robert Prevost explained the profound meaning of this choice:
“Unity and communion are part of the charism of the Order of St. Augustine and also of my way of acting and thinking. For me, promoting unity and communion is fundamental”.
This ideal not only defines his vision of the Church, but also connects directly with the keys to the current synodal journey: communion, participation and mission.. As a good son of Saint Augustine, Leo XIV embraces a Church that walks together, animated by the desire to live fraternity and unity in Christ.
In a slow and emotional voice, he closed his first greeting with a few words to the Virgin Mary: “…the Virgin Mary is the most precious thing in the world.Today is the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. Our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, to be close to us and to help us with her intercession and her love. Therefore, I would like to pray together with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole Church, for peace in the world, and let us ask this special grace to Mary, our Mother”.
From his Augustinian spirituality, Pope Leo XIV expressed a deep desire for closeness, unity and consolation, a call that resonates especially with our charism, whose mission is precisely to accompany those who are lonely or most in need. We therefore welcome with joy this new pontificate, in which we recognise a fraternal echo of the Gospel lived in everyday life.