Robert Prevostrecently consecrated as Pope Leo XIVnot only was it close to the outgoing pontiff, Jorge Bergogliobut maintained a Strong connection with Latin Americacontinent where it served for decades and who knows in depth. Although he was born in USAalso obtained the Peruvian citizenship And he spent a good part of his life missioning in that region.
Among the many links he forged in his religious career, his relationship with the San Agustín Parishlocated in the Bombal neighborhood of the city of Mendoza. This parish headquarters belongs to the Order of San Agustín (OSA)congregation in which Prevost entered into 1977 and from which he was then chosen General Superior.
The pass of Leo XIV by Mendoza
During his management as a maximum authority of the order, Prevost visited the Mendoza parish several times, where he met the current pastor, Julio Ríoswho this Thursday, after confirmation as Holy Father, said: “We have been fortunate to be able to share with him when he was superior general of the order of San Agustín. With a group of colleagues we were in the initial formation, doing our philosophy and studying theology, in preparation to first receive religious votes and then the priestly ordination, ”he recalled.
Ríos also valued the personality of the new Pontiff, highlighting its simplicity and commitment. “He He visited regularly and was an occasion of great joy for us. This is how you saw it, we now witness it on television. He is very simple, humble, a very good man and was very close to us, ”he said.
The choice of Premost as leader of the Catholic Church He surprised the Mendoza pastorwho did not expect one of his former community companions to be chosen Francisco’s successor. “We share training times, dialogue, meals. The truth is that It is still surprising to see it in this situationbut at the same time it is a joy, ”he said.
“It’s a brother. We share a community, we live from two years, we share the work in the parish or at school where it touches us, ”he added.
The Pope’s link with Latin America and the Order of St. Augustine
For members of the Order of San Agustín, the appointment of Leo XIV represents a reason for pridesince it is about First Pope in History arising from this Congregation. His pastoral work in Latin America, combined with his social approach, was key on his way.
Currently, Augustinians develop tasks in more than forty countriesdedicating themselves to Education, missions, theological training, social work and parish pastoral. The ability to integrate into urban and multicultural contexts has been a distinctive characteristic of the order, which allowed them to connect with different spiritual cultures and needs.
Ríos reflected on the new role of the Pope as a servant of the people of God: “The Church can entrust you to services, He is now in a position of absolute service. Deer of the deer of God. ”
In addition, he referred to the leadership profile that the new pontiff could assume from his experience as a missionary: “The beautiful thing about this Augustinian religious life is that we We can study in a place where there is a good educationbut you also know that all knowledge, everything one can acquire, is for the service of the people of God. ”
Finally, he recalled the years in which Prevost resided in a Very poor area: “So if they send you to a mission place, extremely poor, like where he was almost 20 years. A place where There is neither light nor wateryou know how to appreciate what the church has given you so you can put it at the service. ”
Source: Ambito
