Just a few steps from the arms of St. Peter’s Square is the Pontifical Augustinian Institute in Rome --- a place that has been overflowing with happiness and pride since Thursday, May 8th.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, spent a significant amount of time there. He served as the General Prior for 12 years from 2001 to 2013. For his Augustinian brothers, the white smoke was a great cause for celebration.
Fr. Joseph Farrell, General Assistant for North America
I think that the word I use is joyous disbelief. That my heart was so filled with joy when I heard “Roberto Francesco”, immediately I knew it was going to be Prevost at that point. Such joy that there was this, this gasp that took my breath away. And then tears of joy. I was surrounded by strangers, crying tears of joy for my brother.
As cardinal, Pope Leo XIV was often seen inside the Augustinian Institute. Those who know him well highlight a quality they consider essential to his leadership: his reflective and attentive style.
Fr. Joseph Farrell, General Assistant for North America
My experience of him is that he is a man that listens. He recognizes the importance of listening first, then thinking, and then acting. So first he says, “We have to listen - what's going on?” Listen, think and then act. And I think he'll bring that to his papacy.
Fr. Farrell confirmed that Leo XIV had a very good relationship with Pope Francis. His story in Rome began several years ago, and the closeness between the two was only solidified further when Pope Francis, after his election in 2013, entrusted him with a key position in the Roman Curia.
Fr. Joseph Farrell, General Assistant for North America
Pope Francis was also the Pope that called Bishop Prevost back to Rome to serve in the Dicastery for Bishops. They were good friends. I think the death of Pope Francis - people don't always realize that the death of Pope Francis was really a loss, a personal loss for now, Pope Leo. It was a friend who died.
Within the Institute, there is a place that Pope Leo XIV often frequented: the tennis courts. It turns out that the new Pope is quite the tennis player. In fact, before the conclave began, the then-Cardinal Prevost visited there.
Fr. Joseph Farrell, General Assistant for North America
This was his home for 12 years. And so we have a tennis court up in our gardens. He, still when he moved back to Rome, he doesn't live here, and he comes over and prays with us every day. And at least once a week, he would go back up into the garden and play tennis. He's a very good tennis player. He plays for the sport, he plays for exercise, for stress relief, and also just for the joy of playing.
Now, as Pope Leo XIV, his presence remains within the walls of the institute: from shared prayers to tennis matches in the gardens, there are memories that will mark the history of this community forever.
BAM
Trans. CRT
