Augustinian Father Giuseppe Caruso recalled an emotional moment when he was grappling with uncertainty in his life and faced criticism from one of his superiors. He asked Father Robert Prevost, the Superior General of the Augustinian Order at the time (now Pope Leo XIV)
Who cares about me?
Father Prevost replied,
“You may not believe it, but I worry about you.”
This simple but emotional answer touched Caruso’s heart. He said that Prevost was a simple, humble and quiet person.
On May 8, 133 cardinals elected Prevost as Pope Leo XIV after four votes. The order has about 2,500 members in 60 countries worldwide, whose services range from universities (such as Villanova University, Pennsylvania) to parish services and in regions such as Africa, Peru, and the Philippines.
Father Anthony Pizzo, an Augustinian from the Midwest Province of the United States, is a longtime friend of Pope Leo. He said Prevost was “balanced, charitable, and full of teacherly qualities” and had become pope as a true pastor and teacher.
He also said that Pope Leo would carry forward the ideas and writings of Pope Francis. He also added that like Leo XIII, Pope Leo XIV would also move forward in the direction of the Church’s social services.
Father Pasquale di Lernia remembered him as a simple man who participated in daily worship and meals with the community. He said this is a great responsibility and opportunity not just for Pope Leo but for the entire Augustinian community.
Conclusion
Pope Leo XIV is a compassionate, humble, and service-minded leader who has the potential to take the Church in a new, balanced, and human-centered direction.