Our Brother Augustinian, Pope Leo XIV
On May 8, 2025, history was made: the election of the first pope from the United States and the first pope from the Augustinian Order. His election signaled a new chapter in the life of the Church, shaped by an Augustinian spirit that values truth, unity, and compassion for all of God’s creation. We continue to celebrate this unprecedented moment, looking to Pope Leo XIV as both a brother in our tradition and a shepherd for the global community.
What a wonderful time to be an Augustinian as we welcome our brother Robert Prevost, O.S.A., to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV! We know him to be incredibly gifted and exceptionally kind, and we are excited for him to showcase our Augustinian values to the world. I hope you will join with me in keeping Pope Leo in your prayers as he embarks on this new service to the Church.
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago and raised in Dolton, Illinois, entered the Order of St. Augustine in 1977 and was ordained in 1982. He went on to serve the Church across continents as a missionary pastor in Peru, a seminary formator, a diocesan leader, and later as prior general of the Augustinians for 12 years.
His decades of service, shaped by Augustinian community, scholarship, and a commitment to those on the margins, eventually brought him back to Rome as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and later as a cardinal.
A “dark horse” candidate in the 2025 conclave, he chose the name Leo XIV in honor of Pope Leo XIII and in response to the moral and social questions of our modern age. He is the first U.S.-born pope, the first Augustinian pope, and a brother whose roots run through our own tradition.
A Uniquely Augustinian Papacy
Leo’s Augustinian Roots
Pope Leo XIV’s spirituality has been shaped by the Order of St. Augustine since 1977. The Order is grounded in community life, the search for truth, and a deep pastoral concern for the marginalized. These core values continue to guide his vision for a Church that listens, accompanies, and walks together in unity.
Papal Coat of Arms
Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms reflects his Augustinian heritage, incorporating symbols that speak to the Order’s charism — most notably the Augustinian flaming heart, a sign of restless love for God and neighbor. His chosen imagery highlights both his personal journey and the mission he hopes to advance as pope.
Continuing the Augustinian Charism
In his daily ministry, Pope Leo XIV brings the Augustinian tradition into the life of the global Church: fostering synodality rooted in genuine dialogue, promoting justice and human dignity, encouraging interiority, and emphasizing the unity of the people of God. His papacy embodies the spirit of St. Augustine: seeking truth, serving humbly, and loving without measure.
From His Augustinian Brothers
Augustinians in the News:
Pope Leo XIV's Historic Election
Son of the diocese lauds Pope Leo XIV as a man of humility
“He walked up to me, shook my hand and introduced himself as Bob,” said Fr. Hiers, O.S.A., of the 2017 meeting in Chicago. “As a fellow brother of the order, he got to know my story. He talked to me like I was a fellow human being.”
How the Election of Pope Leo XIV Galvanized Villanova University
For Villanova’s senior associate athletic director and prior provincial within the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Rev. Rob Hagan, O.S.A., the connection is even deeper. Though Hagan got his degree from Villanova 10 years after Prevost, they are nevertheless bound by their lifelong commitment to the Augustinian Order.
With an Augustinian in chair of St. Peter, Order sees growing interest in vocations
Augustinian Fr. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A., of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova on the East Coast said in the weeks since then-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A., became pope, the office of vocations for the Midwest and East Coast counted 200-plus inquiries that have passed the first level of screening.
Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected pope, taking name Leo XIV
“Lydon knows exactly the kind of Pope Leo will be because he lived and worked with him for 10 years in a poor neighborhood in Peru. He says Prevost was down to earth with a great sense of humor.”
The Pope with a ‘twinkle in his eye’: Former protégé describes the American set to lead the Catholic Church
“We are so humbled and grateful for the person that he is, and has been,” Hagan went on. “He’s incredibly bright, he speaks multiple languages – he served a large part of his ministry outside of the U.S., helping the poor and people on the margins. He has a real approachability and warmth, a twinkle in his eye, he’s really a gift to the church and to the world.”
‘He’s always been a brother to us’: Villanova Augustinian prior reflects on future Pope Leo XIV
“He’s about 10 years older than me … so when I entered — and I was a bit of a later vocation — he was already well on his way in his life as an Augustinian,” said Fr. Hagan, O.S.A.
Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of Catholics worldwide, is a graduate of Villanova University
“As an Augustinian Catholic institution, we celebrate this significant day for our university community and the global Church. Villanova, built on the teachings of St. Augustine, has always been grounded in advancing a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between faith and reason – between spirituality and wisdom,” said University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue in a statement.
'Just overjoyed': Augustinian Priest reacts to new pope
“We are speechless. We really are just overjoyed. When he appeared on that balcony, it was like seeing a family member step up there. And we’re just so happy not just for him, but for the world,” said Rev. Robert Hagan, O.SA., prior provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.
The significance of Pope Leo XIV coming from the Augustinian Order
St. Augustine is “known as the doctor of grace,” the Rev. Robert Hagan, O.S.A., a friend of Leo, told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas.
Pope Leo XIV Named First American Pope — And He’s From Chicago
“He’s actually a very good singer,” Lydon said. “Deacons proclaim the Gospel at papal ceremonies, and they choose ones who can sing. When he was in Rome, he was selected.”
Pope Leo XIV Receives the Saint Augustine Medal
On August 28, 2025, the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova honored Pope Leo XIV with the Saint Augustine Medal, the highest honor of our Province. Originally set to be honored as a cardinal, Pope Leo XIV was, understandably, unable to attend as pope. Considering this, Prior Provincial Fr. Robert Hagan, O.S.A., as well as now-Prior General Fr. Joseph Farrell, O.S.A., hand-delivered the medal to Pope Leo months beforehand, filming a beautiful message to go alongside the momentous occasion.
The celebration began with a Mass on the Solemnity of St. Augustine at the historic St. Augustine Church, filled with Peruvian music and concelebrated by Augustinians who had served alongside Pope Leo XIV. Nearly 60 friars and more than 600 guests then gathered for a dinner at the Union League of Philadelphia, where stories, gratitude, and generosity filled the room. The event raised over one million dollars for the care of Pope Leo’s Augustinian Brothers and their ministries around the world. The highlight of the evening was Pope Leo’s video message, moving many to tears and making the night an unforgettable tribute to our brother, now our Holy Father, whose Augustinian heart continues to inspire us.
Watch the video below.
More Pope Leo News
By Fr. John Lydon, O.S.A. The Augustinian formation house in Trujillo, Peru, named after St. Thomas of Villanova, marked its 35th anniversary during the Augustinian Vicariate’s annual assembly. The house’s...
We are pleased to share a new documentary created by Vatican Media about the roots of Robert Francis Prevost in his native United States. Partially filmed at the Province of...
August 28 is a special day for the Augustinians every year: the Solemnity of St. Augustine of Hippo, the Order’s inspiration and guiding light. August 28, 2025, however, was a...
May 8, 2025 Dear Friends in Christ, What a wonderful day to be an Augustinian as we welcome our brother Robert Prevost, O.S.A. to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV!...
