An African Saint Is Shaping the First American Pope

Before there was Leo XIV, there was Augustine of Hippo — the restless genius whose ideas are remaking this papacy.

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Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll be sharing a series of deeply reported essays that, together, offer the most complete portrait yet of Pope Leo — not just his own life and formation, but also the circle of people he trusts most as he begins his pontificate.

Why? Because if Leo XIV is to be the world’s most credible moral leader in this defining moment for America and the globe, then we need to know the men and women he relies on to carry out his vision.

Today’s essay turns to Pope Leo’s patron, St. Augustine of Hippo. Just as Francis was a Jesuit, Leo is an Augustinian — and to understand how he’ll govern, we should look to the fifth-century bishop he’s quoted more than anyone else during his six months as pope.

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From the moment of his election, our first Augustinian pope, Leo XIV, has made it clear that he draws deep inspiration from his order’s founder, St. Augustine of Hippo.

Appearing on the balcony of St. Peter’s, Pope Leo introduced himself as “an Augustinian, a son of St. Augustine” and echoed the saint’s famous words: “With you I am a Christian, and for you I am a bishop.”

At his inaugural Mass in May, he quoted Augustine’s teaching that the Church is a community united in love, from which his episcopal motto comes: in illo uno unum, which translates to “in the One, we are one.”

In just six months as pope, Leo XIV has woven Augustine’s words into nearly every major address, quoting the saint more than any other source.

Who was Augustine, and why does he matter so much to the first American pope?

Who Was St. Augustine of Hippo?