Frankfurt: The Order of Saint Augustine, in collaboration with the Vatican Publishing House (LEV), has unveiled plans to release a new volume showcasing the writings of Pope Leo XIV from his tenure as Prior General of the Augustinian Order. Titled Free Under Grace: Writings and Meditations 2001–2013, the book was announced on the occasion of the Frankfurt Book Fair, one of the world’s premier literary events.
The collection, previously unpublished, gathers reflections, meditations, homilies, and addresses composed by the current Pontiff, then known as Robert Francis Prevost, offering readers a rare glimpse into the spiritual formation and theological thought that shaped his leadership within the Order. Father Joseph Lawrence Farrell, O.S.A., the current Prior General, described the book as “an overview of very important themes” central to Augustinian spirituality and the guiding principles of Pope Leo XIV’s pastoral vision.
The volume promises to illuminate the distinctive Augustinian ethos that influenced the future Pope, providing insights into his approach to leadership, prayer, and the communal life of the Order. Readers will encounter personal reflections and meditations that highlight the spiritual depth and intellectual rigor of Prevost’s years at the helm of the Augustinians.
Set to be published in Italian by LEV in spring 2026, the book has generated significant anticipation among scholars, clergy, and lay readers alike. Lorenzo Fazzini, Editorial Director of the Vatican Publishing House, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “This text will allow readers to discover the writings from the period when the Pope was an Augustinian religious and the superior of his Order. It is a volume eagerly awaited by readers across the world.”
With this publication, the Augustinian Order and LEV aim to offer a deeper understanding of the spiritual journey of Pope Leo XIV, tracing his intellectual and pastoral development during a defining period of his life, and inviting readers to engage with the rich heritage of Augustinian thought and devotion.