Andrew Staron, a professor of systematic theology at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, provided a candid, sometimes entertaining snapshot of Pope Leo XIV during the Feb. 17 gathering of the St. John the Evangelist Leadership Guild.
The group met at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe, joining seminarians for evening prayer and Eucharistic adoration before enjoying fellowship, dinner and Staron’s presentation, followed by closing remarks from Bishop Edward Malesic.
The event, which took place on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, had a Mardi Gras theme.
(See photo gallery above.)
Staron’s talk, “At the Heart of Pope Leo’s Faith: An Augustinian Story,” examined St. Augustine and his influence on the pope, who is a member of the Order of St. Augustine. Augustinians emphasize living in harmony, searching for truth and serving through education.
He looked at Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo, who was born in 1955 in Chicago, Illinois and enjoyed playing priest as a child. The future pope entered the Augustinians and attended Villanova University, where he majored in math. He earned a Master of Divinity at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and was ordained in Rome, before spending many years as a missionary in Peru.
A bit of papal trivia: he had a disagreement at one point with Jorge Bergoglio, then a bishop in Argentina, who became his predecessor, Pope Francis. That didn’t affect his elevation in the Church hierarchy since Pope Francis named him a bishop and later a cardinal.
Staron called Pope Leo a peace seeker who advocates care for the poor, attention to technology and culture. He believes that power should be used to serve the common good.
His beliefs align with those of St. Augustine, who believed in the unity of truth and love, ordering our love of the world to the love of God and unity of the Church in Christ.
Pope Leo’s episcopal motto is “In the one, we are one,” which refers to finding unity in Christ. Staron said that offers a glimpse at what to expect in his pontificate. His addresses and writings since becoming pope reflect a love for the poor and a sense of unity.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Malesic reflected on the popes of his lifetime and their legacies. “Pope St. John Paul II taught us it was OK to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to the world,” he said, while “Pope Benedict was a clear thinker who proclaimed the truth.”
He reminded the group that God loves us as we are, “but he also loves us so much that he doesn’t want to keep you where you are … He wants to take us to heaven.” And that fits with Pope Francis’ message of accompaniment. As for Pope Leo, the bishop said he is focused on unity.
“I have great hope for this pontificate,” the bishop said.