What is an Augustinian?
First remarks: Pope Leo XIV speaks at Vatican
American Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, speaks at Vatican in his first remarks to the public after being selected pope.
The newly-appointed pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, was the leader of the Catholic order of St. Augustine.
A core value for this order is to "live together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God."
What is an Augustinian?
Dig deeper:
Augustinians are members of the Order of Saint Augustine, an international Catholic religious community, according to the Augustinian Vocations of North America website.
The order bases its values on the beliefs and teachings set forth by Jesus Christ and Saint Augustine of Hippo, the Augustinian Order said.
Augustinians believe in the Rule of St. Augustine:
By the numbers:
There are about 2,800 Augustinians in 47 countries across the world.
Who was Saint Augustine?
Side by side image of Pope Leo XIV and Saint Aurelius Augustine of Hippos. (Getty Images)
The backstory:
St. Augustine of Hippo was a theologian, writer, preacher and bishop.
Born Aurelius Augustine in 354 AD, he would go on to become a "servant of God" at 33 years old, according to the Augustinians Province of St. Thomas of Villanova website.
He went on to become the bishop in a city called Hippo in Algeria, where he served for 35 years.
Augustine not only served as the leader of his local church, but was also a civil official.
Throughout his life, he wrote over 200 books and nearly 1,000 sermons, letters and other works.
Augustine died on August 28, 430 AD, but left behind a legacy of valuing community, welcoming everyone and showing empathy and love.
Who is Cardinal Robert Prevost, the new pope?
What we know:
Cardinal Robert Prevost has taken the name Leo XIV. The Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
After joining the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and making his solemn vows in 1981, he earned degrees in mathematics, divinity, and canon law—including a doctorate from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Prevost was ordained in 1982 and began his pastoral and academic service in Peru in 1985, where he served in roles such as chancellor, seminary rector, canon law professor, and judicial vicar.
In 1999, Prevost was elected provincial prior of the Augustinians in Chicago, and just a few years later, he became prior general of the worldwide order, serving two terms until 2013.
He then returned to Peru at Pope Francis’ request to serve as apostolic administrator—and later bishop—of the Diocese of Chiclayo
In January 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican role responsible for episcopal appointments worldwide.
He was made a cardinal in September of the same year.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from previous reporting by LiveNOW from FOX and The Associated Press. Information was also used from the Augustinians Province of St. Thomas of Villanova and the Augustinian Vocations of North America websites. This story was reported from Los Angeles.