18-05-2025
Pope Leo XIV is the first Augustinian pontiff. Here's what the religious order means
Pope Leo XIV is the first Augustinian pontiff. Here's what the religious order means
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Who is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the new pope?
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been named the first ever pope from the U.S. and will go by the name Leo XIV.
Formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV became the first-ever pope born in the United States on May 8.
The 69-year-old, who hails from Chicago but has dual Peruvian nationality after spending most of his career as a missionary in Peru, became a cardinal in 2023.
"Peace be with you all," he told the cheering crowd in fluent Italian. Leo, who became the church's 267th pope, also spoke in Spanish, but not English, in his brief address.
Leo thanked Pope Francis and repeated his predecessor's call for a church that is engaged with the modern world and "is always looking for peace, charity and being close to people, especially those who are suffering."
Pope Leo XIV is a man of many firsts; apart from being the first American-born pope, he is also the first pope to be an Augustinian. Those who do not practice Catholicism may not know what this means.
Here is what you need to know about the Order of St. Augustine.
What is an Augustinian?
According to the Augustinian Vocations of North America, Augustinians are members of the Order of St. Augustine.
'We serve God and His people in diverse ministries as pastors, educators, and missionaries,' the vocations website said.
The order was born juridically in March 1244, when Pope Innocent IV united various groups of hermits in service to the Universal Church as a community of Mendicant Friars.
The core values of this order are to "live together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God."
"The main purpose for you having come together is to live harmoniously in your house, intent upon God in oneness of mind and heart," the Rule of St. Augustine reads. "Call nothing your own, but let everything be yours in common. Food and clothing shall be distributed to each of you by your superior, not equally to all, for all do not enjoy equal health, but rather according to each one's need. For so you read in the Acts of the Apostles that 'they had all things in common and distribution was made to each one according to each one's need.''
How many Augustinians are there?
The Order of St. Augustine includes some 2,800 Augustinians in 47 countries throughout the world.
Contributing: Greg Giesen, Delaware News Journal
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
