He celebrated Mass with his Augustinian brothers, on the day the Church commemorates the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima, then had lunch with them, as was his custom almost daily when he was a cardinal. Today, May 13, Leo XIV arrived shortly before noon at the General Curia of the Order of Saint Augustine, his home for 12 years, from 2001 to 2013, during which time he served as Prior General. The black minivan that transported the Pope from the Vatican to Via Paolo VI, behind Bernini’s colonnade, for a private visit to his religious family, where coexistence is the first of the “rules” observed, as prescribed by the Bishop of Hippo in the rule of life for his friars, traveled only a few meters: “The essential reason for having gathered is that they live in harmony in the house and have one soul and one heart directed toward God.”

Hundreds of people gathered in front of the doors of the Augustinian Curia to await the Pope’s departure, even braving an unexpected storm. The Pope left the community of his brothers around 3:00 p.m., greeting those waiting for him. The Prior General, Father Alejandro Moral, explained to the Vatican media that everything took place in the general curia and that the Pontiff presided over the Eucharist in his chapel, followed by a fraternal lunch.

What kind of meeting was it?

He used to come here regularly to eat and wanted to thank the community for it. He came to celebrate the Eucharist and eat with us. It was a family visit, a Thanksgiving visit. We spent very, very family-like and very pleasant moments together. Because he knows everyone, and we all know him, it’s very nice.

Did you spend time together?

Yes, but other people also came to greet him: the employees who work with us, the cooks.

Was it a convivial moment?

Yes, pleasant. It was his first visit as Pope; we were all very happy.

What did he say to him?

That we must always be close to one another, living, as Saint Augustine asks, communion.

Tiziana Campisi – Vatican News