Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV was warmly remembered on Tuesday, his saint’s day, with reflections that highlighted the deep Augustinian roots shaping his pontificate. Fr. Robert Hagan OSA, head of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, described the Pope as “a man of prayer who listens to God and to people,” embodying the Augustinian ideals of truth, unity, and love.
Fr. Hagan, who has known the Pope for nearly three decades, said the Augustinians see the election of their brother as Bishop of Rome as an invitation for the world to rediscover the timeless values of St. Augustine. He recalled his own encounters with the future Pope, once known as Robert Francis Prevost, during his years as provincial in Chicago and later as prior general of the Augustinian order. “He was kind, approachable, and grounded. You could see then why God was preparing him for something greater,” Hagan said.
The Augustinian foundations of Leo XIV’s spirituality, Hagan explained, can be seen in his consistent emphasis on peace, friendship, and community. Quoting the Latin motto Veritas, Unitas, Caritas truth, unity, and love he noted that these values resonate strongly in the Pope’s words and actions. For many, the Pope’s approachable style, marked by calm and clear communication, has struck a chord with both faithful and estranged Catholics. “Even young people and those who had drifted away feel his invitation to return,” Hagan observed.
Another defining feature of the Pope’s ministry is his missionary background. Having served for two decades in Peru, working closely with the poor, he not only mastered the language but immersed himself in the culture. “He’s American, but his heart was formed in Peru,” Hagan said. “To us, when he was prior general, he was already like a mini Pope.”
The moment of his election remains unforgettable for the Augustinian community. Hagan recalled the reaction at Villanova when the announcement came: “Who’s on that balcony? Roberto Francisco Prevost! That’s our brother.” Students and friars alike celebrated with tears, laughter, and hugs, marveling that someone who had once walked their same hallways was now leading the global Church.
Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has sought to set a tone of peace and reconciliation, echoing Augustine’s vision of a Church built on unity and love. Addressing his Augustinian brothers during their General Chapter earlier this month, he urged them to center their lives on divine charity, reminding them that their mission involves not only sharing material goods but also their human and spiritual gifts. “May the Lord’s charity inspire your thoughts and actions, making you apostles and witnesses of the Gospel in the world,” he told them.
For the Augustinians, Pope Leo XIV’s rise is more than symbolic it is a living expression of their charism at the heart of the universal Church. As Fr. Hagan summed up, “This son of Augustine is now the Good Shepherd for all of us.”