Augustinians to Celebrate Launch of Pope Leo XIV’s New Book Ahead of Election Anniversary

On Wednesday, May 6, just two days prior to the anniversary of his election as Pope, the Order of Saint Augustine and the Vatican Publishing House (LEV) will officially present the unpublished book of Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., now Pope Leo XIV.

The book published in Italian: Liberi Sotto la Grazia: Alla scuola di Sant’Agostino di fronte alle Sfide della Storia by Robert Francis Prevost (Free Under Grace: At the School of Saint Augustine in the Face of the Challenges of History by Robert Francis Prevost), offers the public an unprecedented look at the spiritual journey of the current Pontiff during his tenure as Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001-2013.

A Window into Augustinian Spirituality

The book gathers previously unpublished reflections, meditations, homilies, and addresses composed by the Augustinian Pontiff while he led the Order. These texts are deeply rooted in the Augustinian spirituality that has characterized his ministry.

In a press release issued by the Bolletino of the Holy See on October 15, 2025, Father Joseph Lawrence Farrell, O.S.A., the current Prior General of the Augustinian Order, emphasizes the significance of this collection:

“This book, which collects many of the communications of the then Prior General Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., offers an overview of some of the important themes developed during his years as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.”

Lorenzo Fazzini, editorial director of the Vatican Publishing House, noted during the initial announcement that the volume has been "eagerly awaited by readers worldwide," stating:

“This text will offer readers the writings from the period when the Pope was an Augustinian religious and superior of his Order.”

Launch Event and Invitation Details

The Augustinian community and the public are invited to attend the formal presentation of the book in the heart of Rome.

Date: Wednesday, May 6 Time: 5:00 PM (17:00) Location: Pontificio Istituto Patristico Augustinianum - Aula Magna (Via Paolo VI, 25 - ROMA)

The event will feature institutional greetings and specialized interventions from the key figures of the Augustinian community and the Vatican.

Institutional Greetings:

    Padre Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A., Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.

    Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See.

Speakers:

    Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State

    Maria Grazia Calandrone, Writer and journalist

Meanwhile, Andrea Tornielli, Editorial Director of Vatican Media, will moderate the entire event.

Those wishing to attend are requested to confirm their presence by emailing ufficiostampa.lev@spc.va. Journalists and media operators must request accreditation via press.vatican.va/accreditamenti at least 24 hours before the event.

This publication, launched on the initiative of the Augustinians, serves as a "unique and remarkable document," providing profound insight into the spiritual roots of Pope Leo XIV as the Church prepares to celebrate the anniversary of his election.

Second book launch in Firenze

A separate presentation of the same book will be held in Florence, Italy on Friday, May 8, 2026, marking the anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election. Organized by the Pope Leo XIV International Study Centre based at the Convent of Santo Spirito, the event will take place at 5:40 PM (Rome time) in the Chapter Hall of the Convent of Santo Spirito. The program will feature the interventions from Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communications, Father Giuseppe Pagano, Prior of the Basilica of Santo Spirito, and Ugo De Vita, author and actor. The initiative is promoted in collaboration with the Faculty of Theology of Central Italy, the Pontifical Patristic Institute Augustinianum, the Order of Saint Augustine, the Augustinian Community of Santo Spirito, the Association “A Minimo Incipe,” and the Vatican Publishing House.