Pope Leo discusses gifts from St. Augustine in recent video address
Pope Leo XIV expressed his deep gratitude to St. Augustine in a video message played in Philadelphia during a celebration of the saint’s feast day. Due to his election as pope earlier in the year, the pope was unable to attend the event but received the St. Augustine Medal from Augustinian Father Robert P. Hagan. In the recorded message, Pope Leo reflected on the profound influence and teachings of St. Augustine, acknowledging the impact the saint had on his life and spirituality.
St. Augustine, recognized as a great founder of monasticism, bishop, theologian, preacher, writer, and doctor of the church, lived a life filled with trials and challenges similar to our own. Through the grace of God, the pope emphasized that St. Augustine found peace for his restless heart through prayer, community support, and the guidance of his mother, Monica. The pope highlighted St. Augustine’s belief in utilizing God-given gifts and talents to serve others as a source of purpose, fulfillment, and joy.
The service to God and neighbor that St. Augustine embodied, the pope said, includes ministering to immigrants. Drawing parallels with the early Augustinian friars who served Irish and German immigrants in the United States, the pope called on Christians to see all individuals through the eyes of Christ and to acknowledge the inherent dignity of each person as created in the image and likeness of God. Furthermore, the pope underscored the importance of being peacemakers in our communities by fostering relationships, dialogue, respect, and recognizing the presence of God in one another.
Pope Leo urged a return to the art of listening, as advocated by St. Augustine and emphasized within the Church. He encouraged a synodal approach to engage in attentive listening, both to the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voices of marginalized individuals in society. By listening deeply through prayer, silence, discernment, and reflection, Christians can cultivate a culture of dialogue and understanding, embodying the teachings of St. Augustine in fostering peace and unity within the Church and beyond.