Robert Francis Prevost Before being anointed as Pope Leo XIV, he visited Guanajuato on several occasions, as members of the Augustinian Order, which has a presence in municipalities throughout the state.
The now Pope Leo XIV visited the municipalities of Moroleón, Uriangato, Yuriria, and Salamanca on several occasions, where one of his messages was to build a Church close to the parishioners.
Friar Sabino Quijano Avelino, a member of the Order of Saint Augustine in Salamanca, recalled in an interview with the Mexican Editorial Organization that there was a closeness and affection with Pope Leo XIV, and therefore his appointment, rather than causing surprise, caused joy among the Augustinian community of the Church.
The friar shared that the now pontiff visited the Salamanca convent as part of his missionary agenda when he was Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine for more than a decade, from 2002 to 2013, a position that allowed him to visit several Augustinian convents in Mexico and the rest of the world.
“As Prior General, he had to visit all the communities in the world, and the Convent of Saint Augustine in Salamanca was on his agenda,” said Friar Quijano Avelino, who described the new pontiff as a close and humble brother.
Claudia Sheinbaum noted that both Mexico and the Catholic Church converge in favor of world peace and prosperity.
She added: “He was an excellent brother, simple, open, and very trusting. We met when we were seminary students. I studied in Rome at the Gregorian University, and he was Prior General at the time. We practically lived together. Our houses were right across the street from each other. We spent a lot of time together and shared many moments. That’s why we felt such closeness,” she expressed.
Robert Francis Prevots studied at the Pontifical Angelicum Institute and, as part of his formation and leadership, developed a deep commitment to the values of the Augustinian Order. Now, having been elected Pope (the third in history to belong to this order), his appointment represents both a challenge and an inspiration for his brothers.
“It’s a much stronger commitment. The witness of each of the friars who make up the Order of Saint Augustine must be strong, especially for the Pope who has been elected to guide the Church,” emphasized Friar Sabino.
During his first message as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV highlighted two fundamental pillars: peace and the mission of the Church. “He asked us to work for peace, to preserve it among us. It is a fundamental trait he wishes to emphasize in his pontificate, especially in these times marked by conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, and recently between India and Pakistan,” the friar explained.
Fr. Sabino Quijano Avelino also emphasized Pope Leo XIV’s missionary vision when greeting the Diocese of Rome: “He said that the Church must be missionary, an outgoing Church, communicating the good news.”
The mayor of Moroleón, Alma Sánchez Barragán, posted photographs of Leo XIV on her social media and said he has been to the state at least four times. Internet users immediately commented on the post, expressing the blessing the municipality had received and calling for a fifth visit.
“A tremendous blessing! Who would have imagined that today he is the Pope, a great figure in the Catholic religion? I hope one day it will be the fifth visit, but now with the distinguished and honorable cassock of the Pope, one of the most important people in the world,” wrote Erika Ortis, in response to the mayor of Moroleón.
A photograph of the new leader of the Catholic Church in the city of Yuriria, at a meeting of Augustinian friars, also circulated on social media. These images raised high expectations for future visits.
Source: oem
