"How are you?"The Augustinians recall small moments with Pope Leo XIV that speak volumes

"How are you?" That’s what many friars vividly remember when they think of Pope Leo XIV. It was—and still is—a question he frequently asked, with genuine interest.

Though his new responsibility places him at the head of the universal Church, those who lived and worked with him remember him first and foremost as a brother in and of the community. In a series of interviews, several Augustinians share their personal memories of simple moments with Father Prevost—moments that, in retrospect, reveal much about his character and leadership.

Fr. Barnaby R. Johns, OSA, provincial prior of the Augustinians in California, recalls running into Cardinal Prevost during Easter of 2024. “He came up and asked me how I was,” he said. “It was a brief exchange, but it felt sincere. He had a way of making you feel heard.”

Fr. Andrés Felipe Romero, OSA, a student priest from the Province of Our Lady of Grace in Colombia, shared a similar memory. Just arrived in Rome and still learning Italian, he attended a meeting at the parish of Saint Anne in the Vatican. He felt a bit out of place and isolated, and was surprised when Cardinal Prevost approached him and began a conversation in Spanish. “That moment stayed with me,” said Fr. Felipe. “It was comforting. He asked how I was doing and about the brothers in Colombia. It felt very familiar.”

For Fr. Amiel Álvarez, OSA, from the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in the Philippines, the encounter happened in an unexpected place—a post office. Sitting side by side as they renewed their documents, “He asked me about my studies and mentioned his visits to the Philippines as Prior General,” said Fr. Amiel. “It was all very natural, with no sense of superiority. Just like another brother.”

Listening with the Heart

Fr. Alexander Lam, OSA, assistant general for Latin America, recalled Cardinal Prevost’s presence during his frequent visits to the Curia community before being elected Pope. “He often came for Lauds, morning Mass, lunch, or just to have coffee and spend time with his brothers.”

Fr. Joseph Farrell, OSA, Vicar General of the Order of Saint Augustine, remembers him as “an excellent listener,” something essential for building meaningful relationships. Fr. Peter Donohue, OSA, president of Villanova University, echoed that sentiment: “He’s very approachable, he loves being with people… and he has a wonderful way of connecting. That will be vital as he works toward unity.”

Just as the Augustinian emblem inscribed on his papal insignia—a heart resting on a book—symbolizes wisdom and charity, Pope Leo XIV embodies that balance: listening with the heart and responding with prudence.

An Inspiring Word: “Be Available”

Fr. Claudio Zambrano, vice priorof the Santa Monica community, shared a particularly formative moment with Cardinal Prevost when he began his role as secretary at the then-Institute Patristic Augustinianum. The advice he received was simple yet lasting: “You must be available to carry out our mission of academic service.”

“That was the most meaningful guidance I received,” said Fr. Claudio. “It helped me embrace my responsibilities and reminded me that this work is a service to the Order and to the Church.”

Some time later, he met the Cardinal again outside the Pontifical Institute and told him how he had come to serve as secretary. The future Pope reaffirmed the value of availability: a readiness to serve unconditionally, especially in the context of academic and ecclesial mission.

Always a Son of Saint Augustine

During his first visit as Pope to the General Curia, on May 13—the feast of Our Lady of Fatima—he shared heartfelt words with his brothers: “I have given up many things for this mission, but I have never stopped being an Augustinian.”

For the friars of Santa Monica College and the Curia, that statement confirmed what they already knew. He may no longer appear by surprise as he once did, but the desire remains: he will always be an Augustinian, a brother of the Order, deeply marked by its spirituality, community life, and his emphasis on listening with the heart.

When Pope Leo XIV first appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, he introduced himself with a resounding: “I am a son of Saint Augustine.”

In that moment, for the Augustinians, it wasn’t just history—it was fraternity fulfilled.