Welcome Pope Leo XIV, the First Augustinian Pope

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! We’re overjoyed because of what we already know him to be, and what a gift he is to the Church and to the world at this time.

To see him emerge on that balcony, it was like seeing a family member – our brother! We were speechless: so proud and yet so humbled at the same time. Pope Leo is an unassuming man. He is incredibly gifted and spent his whole life in the service of God’s people. He has devoted his ministry to serving the poor, building bridges, and bringing people together. He consistently keeps in mind those living on the margins. I am excited to watch him continue this important work as our Holy Father. 

As Catholics, we understand that the process of selecting a new pope is guided by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit moves us in the direction that God desires for us. There was a lot of prayer, a lot of reflection, and a lot of speculation, as there is during every conclave.  I don’t think that Pope Leo had any designs on the office, but the Spirit has spoken, and it’s incredibly humbling for all of us. I can only imagine how he feels: that the Lord has bestowed this office upon him, as well as the opportunity to be the instrument of peace, healing, hope, and love that our world needs at this time.

As Americans, we have reason to be excited and proud. We are a loving people, though we all have our faults and our challenges. Pope Leo represents all that is good about being an American: to work for the freedom and the justice and opportunity for all people, the core values upon which this country was founded. He invites us to be instruments and promoters of the common good. These are the values that Pope Leo has lived and shared all around the world. He has served as a priest, a missionary, a leader, an administrator, a counselor, and a teacher. His papacy is the culmination of all of his gifts and experience, and the world is now the beneficiary.

All people can hold up Pope Leo as an example of what we aspire to be: to be loving peacemakers and promotors of freedom and justice. Welcome, Pope Leo, and many blessings on your papacy.

Peace always,

Fr. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A.
Prior Provincial

Each of us strengthens all of us.

- Saint Augustine -