Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, had visited Pollachi school 19 years ago
COIMBATORE:
Robert Francis Prevost
, who has been elected as the new pope, had visited Pollachi in Coimbatore district almost two decades ago when he was the prior general of the Order of St Augustine.
He visited the monastery of Sancta Monica Community of Augustinian Fathers at Zamin Uthukuli near Pollachi on Oct 6, 2006. He also visited
Shenbagam Matriculation Higher Secondary School
run by Augustinian fathers at Zamin Uthukuli.
'He conducted a mass with priests in the monastery and interacted with the students and teachers,' said Jacob Mullassery, Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) in Cuba, who had accompanied the prior general during his visit to Kochi in Kerala and Pollachi in Tamil Nadu.
Fr Wilson Injerappu, OSA, regional vicar of the Augustinian Order in India, said Fr Robert Francis Prevost, who has now chosen the name Leo XIV after being elected pope, had encouraged the students in the school.
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'He travelled from Kochi to Pollachi in a car, and it took more than seven hours. He is a very kind and humble person,' said Wilson.
Fr Binu Yesudasan, correspondent of Shenbagam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, said, 'We feel very proud that he visited our school.'
Fr Jacob Mullassery said he participated in a mass conducted by Fr Robert Francis Prevost during his visit to Kochi in 2004. "He is a very simple and polite person.
He supports the rights of poor people. He visited many countries, and he knows about the culture of these countries. He treats others with equality. He always says that he is one among us," said Fr Jacob.
He visited St Francis Assisi Cathedral in Kathrikadavu in Kochi in Kerala on April 22, 2004, and took part in the anointing ceremonies. He visited Augustinian House in Mariyapuram in Aluva to participate in the Asia-Pacific Meeting of the Order of St Augustine from Oct 3 to Oct 6, 2006.
'He listens to others, and he is a good listener. He visited many countries, and he values the social and cultural aspects of other countries. He is not authoritative, and he is one of the people among us. He does not believe in hierarchical authority, and he believes in service-related authorities. He always stands for the rights of poor people,' said Fr Jacob Mullassery.
The Vatican has announced that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost will be formally installed as pope in a mass on May 18.
He will be the first US-born pope.
On Friday evening, Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin congratulated the new pope. "Congratulations to His Holiness
Pope Leo XIV
on being chosen to lead the Roman Catholic Church. May his message of peace and unity inspire harmony across the world," said Stalin.
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