Pope Leo XIV prays in front of a fresco of Our Lady of Good Counsel at the shrine named after the image in Genazzano, Italy, southeast of Rome, May 10, 2025. The shrine, with a famous image of Mary, is run by the pope’s Augustinian confreres. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV’s Augustinian roots have been on display since he was elected pontiff on May 8. When he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after his election, he introduced himself as “an Augustinian, a son of St. Augustine.” For his first trip outside the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV chose to visit the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, just outside Rome. Pope Leo visited the shrine, which has been run by the Augustinians since 1200, at around 4 p.m. for a private visit. Pope Leo XIV’s devotion to St. Augustine, his life and ministry as a member of the Augustinian order and his focus on the unity of the church are reflected in his episcopal motto and coat of arms. Vatican News explained that the phrase is taken from St. Augustine’s “Exposition on Psalm 127,” where he explains that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.” As a cardinal, in 2023, the pope told Vatican News, “As can be seen from my episcopal motto, unity and communion are truly part of the charism of the Order of St. Augustine, and also of my way of acting and thinking.” “I believe it is very important to promote communion in the church, and we know well that communion, participation and mission are the three keywords of the Synod” of Bishops on synodality, he said. “So, as an Augustinian, for me promoting unity and communion is fundamental.” His shield, now topped by a miter instead of the red galero hat of a cardinal, is divided diagonally into two. The upper half features a blue background with a white lily or fleur-de-lis, symbolizing the Virgin Mary, but also his French heritage. The lower half of the shield has a light background and displays an image common to the religious orders named after and inspired by St. Augustine: a closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow. On May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to celebrate Mass with his Augustinian brothers at the General Curia of the Order of St. Augustine near the Vatican. He then joined them for lunch — a routine that was almost daily for him when he was a cardinal, Vatican News reported. Pope Leo lived at the curia for 12 years, from 2001 to 2013, while serving as prior general. - - - Contributing to this story was Catholic News Service
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