Leone XIV, who is the new Pope Robert Prevost: “Help us to build bridges”

Augustinian, missionary and American for a universal church. The new Pope Leone XIVelected by the Conclave as 267º Bishop of Rome, he appeared a few minutes ago in the world with these simple and solemn words: “Peace to all of you!”, and then underlined, visibly moved, the importance of “build bridges“In view of a”disarmaid peace, a disarming, humble and persevering peace“.

A Pope from North America

The US cardinal Robert Francis Prevostwho chose the Pontifical name Leone XIV, is Born in 1955 in Chicago As a father of Franco-Italian origin and mother of Spanish roots. Leo XIV It is the second pope from the Americas After Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but the first of the northern part of the continent. Behind his figure are intertwined several souls: religious, academic, missionary and pastoral. His is a biography that crosses frontiers, cultures and communities, tracing a universal profile, in harmony with the church outgoing desired by its predecessor.

First Augustinian on the papal dream

The election of a Pope belonging to the order of Sant’Agostino It is a historical fact. After graduating in mathematics and philosophical-theological studies, Prevost issued the solemn votes in the Augustinians in 1981

The missionary face of the Church

But it is his long service in Peru to tell the spirit of the new Pope more forcefully. Sent as a missionary to Chulucanas and then to Trujillo, He lived for over a decade in the midst of poverty and social challengesoperating as parish priest, judicial vicar, professor and trainer. His ability to combine doctrine and pastoral closeness made him a reference in the Peruvian Church, up to the appointment as a bishop of Chiclayo in 2015.

Over the past few years, Prevost has gained progressive confidence also in the curial field. He was a member of important departments and, in 2023, Pope Francis called him to Rome as a prefect of the Dicastery for the bishops, one of the key roles in the government of the universal Church. In 2024 Cardinal was created and assigned to the Diaconia of Santa Monica, symbolically linked to the Augustinian order.

A symbol of unity in diversity

The episcopal motto chosen by Prevost – In ILLO UNUM UNUM – echoes the thought of Sant’Agostino and represents a clear ecclesiological vision: “In the one who is one, we are one”. A reference to unity in diversityspiritual and pastoral foundation for a pontificate that was born in the name of listening, humility and communion.

With Pope Leo XIV, the Catholic Church could look in the direction of a future that enhances the suburbs, integral formation, interreligious dialogue and the protagonism of global South. A pope who knows the challenges of Latin America and the restlessness of the modern world.