ErreRoberto / Shutterstock.com
VATICAN CITY // Pope Leo XIV marked the feast of Our Lady of Fatima by returning to his roots, visiting the headquarters of his former congregation, the Augustinians, located just across the colonnades from St. Peter’s Square.
According to Italian broadcaster RAI, the Pope spent his fifth day as pontiff celebrating Mass and sharing lunch with the Augustinian community on Via Paolo VI.
The Augustinians had already expressed their joy at the election of their “Augustinian brother, ‘son of Saint Augustine,’ Father Robert F. Prevost” as Pope on May 9. Pope Leo XIV previously served as Moderator General of the Institute from 2001 to 2013, guiding the congregation for 12 years.
“In the wake of his magisterium and the spirituality of Saint Augustine, we continue our mission of teaching,” the Augustinians said. “May the Holy Spirit and the holy Bishop of Hippo (St. Augustine) accompany and illuminate his path of faith and peace.”
After the celebration, Pope Leo XIV departed by car, traveling the short distance alongside the colonnade of St. Peter’s Square. He surprised and delighted the faithful by greeting them from the car window as he returned to the Vatican.
>> Pope Leo XIV makes history as first Augustinian pontiff <<
