Father Alejandro celebrates his 70th birthday with the brothers of St. Monica College and Pope Leo XIV

Father Alejandro celebrates his 70th birthday with the brothers of St. Monica College and Pope Leo XIV: “He took me aside and told me that he would be with me on this special day”.

Just a few hours after returning from the Ordinary Provincial Chapter in Colombia, the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine celebrated his 70th birthday, surrounded by his Augustinian brothers.

The celebration took place at the International College of Saint Monica in Rome, and he was joined by Pope Leo XIV.

“I found out he was coming on May 19th, when he received the contemplative nuns who had attended the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, along with other religious. After the meeting, he took me by the arm, led me aside, and said: ‘I want to celebrate your birthday with you.’”

After presiding over the Jubilee Mass for Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly in Saint Peter’s Square, the Holy Father visited the community on Via Paolo VI, where students of the Order of Saint Augustine from various countries live alongside several faculty members of the Pontifical Patristic Institute Augustinianum.

“It was a truly pleasant day. We embraced warmly and sat at the table together as brothers, as friends.”“We had the chance to discuss important matters concerning the life of the Church and the challenges it faces ahead.”

“I can only express my deepest gratitude for such heartfelt affection. The presence of Pope Leo XIV brought joy, admiration, and reverence. He made us feel more deeply united with the Church.”

Paths That Crossed

Their friendship dates back many years, as beautifully chronicled by Tiziana Campisi for Vatican News. Pope Leo XIV and Father Alejandro met in Rome during the 1980s, precisely at the Saint Monica College. At the time, a young student named Robert Prevost was completing his studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, while Father Alejandro Moral was pursuing Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute.

Their paths diverged in 1985: Prevost, ordained three years earlier, was sent to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura (Peru), while Father Moral returned to Spain after finishing his studies.

A Lasting Bond

When Father Prevost was elected Prior General of the Order, he chose Father Alejandro Moral as his Vicar and confirmed him in the role during his second term. They worked side by side for twelve years, strengthening a friendship founded on fraternity and service to the Church and the Order.

Although their journeys parted once again in 2013—Prevost returned to Chicago, and Moral was elected 97th Prior General—the bond between them remained unbroken.A year later, Pope Francis appointed Robert Prevost as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and subsequently as bishop. Yet, their Augustinian affinity and mutual affection kept strong, inspired by the spirituality of Saint Augustine: that common life of “unity in mind and heart” to “seek God together in full harmony,” so that the first one who found the truth might “easily lead others toward it” (Soliloquies, 1, 12, 20–13, 22).

A Special Farewell

On the closing of this memorable day—his final birthday celebration as Prior General in Rome among his brothers—Father Alejandro shared:

“He was very patient and generous with all the students, friars, religious, and staff present. He took a photo with each person next to our image of Our Lady of Good Counsel, and again in the college cloister. After a warm embrace, we said a quick goodbye—he had to receive the Giro d’Italia cyclists at the Vatican. Thank you, Holy Father.”