Vatican City: In a heartfelt address concluding the General Chapter of the Augustinian Order, Pope Leo XIV called upon his Augustinian brothers to make love the central principle of their religious life, highlighting its foundational role in faith, formation, and mission.
Speaking on Monday, the Holy Father emphasized that the General Chapter represents more than an administrative gathering. It is, he said, “a precious occasion to pray together, to reflect on the gift received, and to consider both the charism and the challenges facing our communities.” Drawing on his own Augustinian roots, Pope Leo encouraged his brothers to look inward on their spiritual journey, reminding them that such reflection should naturally propel them forward “even more motivated and enthusiastic, into the mission.”
Central to his reflection was the Augustinian axiom, “Love what you will be.” Pope Leo described it as a vital guide, cautioning against perceiving religious formation merely as a set of rules to follow or a ready-made garment to wear passively. Instead, he asserted, “at the centre of everything is love.”
He elaborated that the Christian vocation and religious life in particular arises from the attraction of something great, a love capable of nourishing and satisfying the heart. This perspective, the Pope noted, should guide Augustinians in their work with young people, helping them to embrace their calling and to love what they can become.
Pope Leo stressed that love extends beyond personal devotion, serving as a fundamental criterion in theological study and intellectual formation. He reminded the brothers that reason alone cannot lead to God; instead, one must be amazed by His greatness, examine life with attentive hearts, and discern the Creator’s footprints in the world. Above all, the Pope said, the journey of faith must cultivate a love for God and the desire to make Him loved.
He also urged the Augustinians to remain faithful to evangelical poverty, ensuring that simplicity and service become criteria for evaluating structures, resources, and approaches in their Apostolic mission.
Pope Leo turned to the Augustinians’ historic missionary vocation, rooted in the 16th century and sustained worldwide through centuries of dedication. “This missionary spirit must not be extinguished,” he declared, noting its continued importance in today’s Church. He encouraged his brothers to reawaken this zeal, approaching evangelization with humble joy, readiness for service, and genuine participation in the lives of those they serve.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo expressed hope that the Augustinians would carry the work of the General Chapter forward in fraternal joy, with hearts open to the Spirit’s guidance. He assured them of his prayers, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Augustine, and imparted his Apostolic Blessing to the assembled brothers.