Ana Torres Fonseca
On the one year anniversary of the papacy of Pope Leo XIV, a collection of texts, reflections, meditations, homilies, and previously unpublished speeches from his time leading the Augustinian Order was presented at the Augustinian Curia.
FR. JOSEPH FARREL
Prior General, Order of St. Augustine
And it gives us an insight into the man who now serves the world and the Church as Pope Leo XIV. Certainly it was many years ago when he offered these messages and homilies, but there's some real fundamental foundational elements of his own Augustinian formation that we see throughout the book.
“Free Under Grace: In the School of Saint Augustine Before the Challenges of History” was the title chosen for this new collection, in which, as Fr. Farrell points out, one can clearly discern the pontiff’s deeply Augustinian character.
FR. JOSEPH FARREL
Prior General, Order of St. Augustine
Were very proud when we first saw him come to the loggia in St. Peter's Square on May 8th of 2025. And he said, 'I'm the son of Augustus. I'm an Augustinian.' Of course, we all became very proud that day. He's our brother. He represents us.
More than a full year has passed since the white smoke above the Vatican indicated that the cardinals had chosen the new successor of St. Peter. 365 days in which the Augustinian spirit has been reflected in many of Leo's speeches and public appearances. From the perspective of his own Order, what has this first year been like?
FR. JOSEPH FARREL
Prior General, Order of St. Augustine
We have seen in this first year of Pope Leo's service of the church, certainly the theme of peace in the world.
Sometimes to say 'I'm sorry'. Sometimes to say 'I forgive you'. and I think we've discovered already in the first year of Pope Leo's pontificate. Those traces of his own understanding of what it means to depend upon God's grace in creating a more peaceful world, more peaceful communities.
The presentation was also attended by the Vatican’s number two, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini.
