When Pope Leo XIV walked out on the Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, he quoted St. Augustine. “I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian, who said: ‘with you I am a Christian and for you I am a bishop.’” Then, several days later, the first Augustinian Pope quoted the Church Father in front of a group of gathered journalists. How Augustine will influence the new pontificate is unknown, however, Pope Leo’s own words show a special connection between the Church Father.

Unity

Last week, the Holy Father visited the General Curia of the Order of Saint Augustine and celebrated mass with his brothers there. The Prior General of the Order reported Pope Leo’s call to “stay close to one another, and live in communion, just as Saint Augustine calls us to do.”

Two years ago, then-Cardinal Prevost made similar comments. Speaking to Vatican News he underscored the need for unity in the Church, “I believe it is very important to promote communion in the Church… So, as an Augustinian, for me promoting unity and communion is fundamental.”

Happiness

In a world filled with confusion, St. Augustine’s words can help clarify what real happiness is. Then-Father Prevost told Catholic News Service in 2012, “In the highly individualistic society…people think that my experience is the criteria – am I happy or am I not happy.”

St. Augustine, Father Prevost, said, noted that many of the things people say makes them happy are “superficial or are important for a short period of time.” Real happiness, rather, involves a real encounter with God and “concern for other people.” But if the experience of God stops at the individual level, “it’s probably not an authentic experience of God,” Prevost said.

Fathers of the Church

In addition to the importance of St. Augustine in the life of Pope Leo, the Fathers of the Church could play an important role shaping how the Holy Father intends to lead the more than one billion Catholics.

Speaking to Catholic News Service, Father Prevost said the documents of the Second Vatican Council make constant references to St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church “because of a number of parallel circumstances” between the early centuries of the Church and today, specifically regarding how the Church engages with the secular world.

Pope Leo has since confirmed his commitment to the Council during his address to the College of Cardinals a couple days after his election.