“Having spent time with him, I believe he is a man who is approachable and possesses a very strong social sensitivity,” demonstrated by his extensive pastoral governance experience, and “a man dedicated to study and education,” stated the parish vicar of São Domingos de Rana.
The Order of Saint Augustine, to which the new Pope belongs, currently has two communities in Portugal, one in Santa Iria de Azoia and another in São Domingos de Rana, with three friars in each community.
During his remarks, João Miguel Russo Silva recalled the founding of the Order of Saint Augustine in the 13th century. Although the order was established several centuries after the death of Saint Augustine in the 5th century, it continues to follow the rules of this theologian and philosopher of the Catholic Church.
He notably mentioned the phrase “love and do what you will,” attributed to Saint Augustine, highlighting that “the core of life is community life, the search for God in one another.”
Formally, the Order of Saint Augustine emerged in the 13th century in Tuscany, Italy, when Popes Innocent IV and later Alexander IV responded to the appeal of hermits and monks to constitute an order by uniting them.
“It is an Order focused on community life, interiority, poverty, sharing of goods, service to the Church, and study,” centered on friendship, summarized the priest, explaining that there are indications the Order reached Portugal as early as the 13th century.
The first church was likely what is now the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Monte in Lisbon, explained João Miguel Russo Silva, noting that in the capital, the friars were called “gracianos,” due to their devotion to Nossa Senhora da Graça. As he remarked, “today is the day of Nossa Senhora da Graça.”
The Order grew over the years, and “today there are empty or transformed convents throughout the country that belonged to the Order,” and in 1834, like all orders, it was expelled from Portugal, only to return in January 1974, João Miguel Russo Silva also recalled.
Regarding the new Pope, he noted that he was for many years the prior-general of the Order, having served part of his time in Rome, spent time in Peru, and then returned to Rome, with Pope Francis later appointing him cardinal.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, aged 69, was elected as the new Pope after two days of conclave in Vatican City, assuming the papal name Leo XIV.
Born in Chicago, United States, the new Pope is of Spanish descent and holds Peruvian nationality, belonging to the Order of Saint Augustine.
Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88.
