Leo XIV Visit to the Augustinians to celebrate his friend’s 70th birthday, the prior general

For the second time since his pontificate began, Pope Leo XIV visited the House of the Augustinians in Rome, located on one of the sides of the San Pedro colonnade, a few steps from the Vatican.

This time it was to celebrate the 70th birthday of the prior of the Augustinians, Fr. Alejandro Moral, with whom he maintains a deep friendship.

“I am very happy to share these moments with you,” said the pontiff when greeting the Augustinians resident in Rome.

A deep friendship forged over the years

The two met at the Santa Monica International College, when both were young seminarians, shortly before Premost was ordered priest in 1982.

Then, Fr. Moral studied Sacred Scripture while Fr. Prevost formed in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomás de Aquino, known as the Angelicum.

In 1985, the “Father Roberto” was sent to the Augustinian Mission of Chulucanas, in Piura (Peru), while Father Alejandro returned to his country, Spain, after finishing his studies.

In his first term as a prior general, Mons. Prevost chose Fr. Moral as Vicar, so, for 12 years, they both worked together. After six years as a prior general, the now Pope returned to Chicago and Fr. Moral held his position at the head of the Augustinian community.

The funny anecdote of San Juan Paul II

After celebrating the Mass for families, children, grandparents and the elderly last Sunday, June 1, the Pope wanted to celebrate his former partner’s birthday.

Before starting lunch, Pope Leo XIV shared with those present a nice anecdote lived with San Juan Pablo II, when he was still a student and the then Pontiff visited the Augustinian community and also stayed to eat.

“I had the honor, on that occasion, to serve him at his table. At the end of lunch we offered an orange, but he did not eat it,” said Leo XIV with a smile.

Later, he recalled that the Polish Pope, jokingly, said he preferred to leave the orange on the table to “meditate and contemplate the fruit.”

“When San Juan Pablo II left the dining room,” the Pontiff added, “we almost struggled to keep the orange … and in the end we ate it among all!”

“Being dad does not mean forgetting or losing the Augustinian vocation”

The photographs of the lunch last Sunday, disseminated by the Augustinian Foundation, capture an atmosphere of joy, fraternity and closeness, testimony of a forged friendship over the years.

In the videos of the meeting broadcast on social networks, you can see how Leo XIV, smiling, remember that “being Pope does not mean or losing the Augustinian vocation. I am close to you and the order.”

The Pontiff also said that he considers a blessing to have shared so many lunch and Eucharistic celebrations with the community, and requested prayers for the mission he performs at the service of the Church.

“We will always be united as Augustinians and, above all, as disciples of Jesus,” he concluded.

His first “escape” to the Augustinian house in Rome, – the same place where being a cardinal used to go daily to lunch with the community – took place on May 13, just 5 days after the end of the conclave.

Fr. Pasquale Cormio, who was present on that occasion, He told ACI Press The words that the Pontiff gave them: “He told us that, as Pope, he has had to give up many things. To drive a car, to walk freely … but said he will never give up being Augustine, or feel our brother.”