Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, has taken office with a renewed emphasis on unity and the importance of Jesus Christ. In his new role, Prevost is drawing attention to the Augustinian Order, a Christian organization that follows the teachings of Saint Augustine.
The Teachings of Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine was a philosopher and theologian who believed in understanding God’s plan for humanity through reason. His teachings, known as the Augustinian Rule, emphasized:
- Humility
- Poverty
- Chastity
- Obedience to authority figures
- Detachment from worldly possessions and desires
Colleen Mitchell from Villanova University’s Augustinian Institute noted, "St. Augustine’s answers to perennial questions like free will vs. predestination continue informing Western culture today."
The Augustinian Order
The Augustinians were formed by Pope Gregory IX in 1256 when he united various groups under an umbrella rule drawn directly from St. Augustine’s writings. The order consists of:
- Men living together in communities called friaries or houses
- Women who live separately but work alongside them
They operate schools for children around the world, educating over 150,000 students globally, as well as hospitals and clinics across Africa where medical care often comes at no cost.
Transition of Papacy
As Pope Leo XIV takes office with a focus on unity and Jesus Christ at its core, it remains to be seen how this emphasis will shape his papacy. He was elected by cardinals gathered at Vatican City following the death of Pope Benedict XVI earlier this year. Benedict XVI died at the age of 95 on December 31st last year after serving nearly eight years as head of the Catholic Church, making him one of the longest-serving popes since St. Peter.
Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI, born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16th, 1927, had a profound impact on the Church. His father was an army mechanic, and his mother worked part-time cleaning homes. He studied theology at the University of Munich, where he became fascinated with philosophy. He later moved to Rome to continue his theological studies.
Benedict’s rise through the ranks was rapid:
- Became bishop at age 36
- Advanced to cardinal archbishop
- Elected pope after John Paul II resigned due to poor health
He served nearly eight years until stepping down, citing "advanced age," despite still being physically fit. Alongside his papal duties, he authored several books, including Jesus of Nazareth, which explores the life story of Jesus Christ and has been praised by Pope Francis as "a great gift."
Resignation and Farewell
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI made headlines for resigning unexpectedly more than seven years ago, feeling unable to continue leading the Catholic Church due to advanced age. When asked about regrets regarding his resignation during his final public appearance on March 14, 2013, he replied, “No regrets whatsoever,” emphasizing that his choice was made solely out of duty toward the Church.
During his farewell ceremony held inside St. Peter’s Basilica on March 28, 2013, Roman Catholic faithful packed the pews, waving white handkerchiefs adorned with crosses while chanting hymns, expressing both joy and sadness.
Election of Pope Leo XIV
After stepping aside from active papacy, officials confirmed that former Cardinal Robert Prevost had been elected as the new leader of Roman Catholicism. The papal conclave began Tuesday evening and concluded late Wednesday night, with Prevost receiving the majority of votes required to win the election.
The voting process typically involves multiple rounds until a candidate receives two-thirds majority support among participating cardinals. The most recent conclave lasted only nine hours, reflecting a swift decision-making process.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary general of the Holy See, confirmed that the vote count was ongoing but did not provide further details. The election marks a new chapter for the Catholic Church under Pope Leo XIV, with a focus on unity and the teachings of Jesus Christ at its core.
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