Leo XIV first pope of the Augustinian Order, here's who they are

Robert Francis Prevost is the first pope belonging to the Order of Saint Augustine in the history of the Catholic Church. The motto itself, printed on the cartouche of the papal coat of arms chosen by Leo XIV, consists of the words of Saint Augustine in the commentary on Psalm 127 "In the one Christ we are one".

The pope began his Augustinian novitiate in 1977 in the Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Saint Louis and took his vows on August 29, 1981. He has also held prominent roles in the Order, including prior general from 2001 to 2013.

The Order of Saint Augustine is one of the oldest religious families in the Church. It was founded in March 1244, when Pope Innocent IV promoted the unification of several groups of hermits already inspired by the Rule of Saint Augustine. In 1256, Pope Alexander IV officially established the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustine, also providing it with a centralized and recognized organization.

It was not therefore Saint Augustine of Hippo who founded the order. But it is to him and his Rule that the doctrine of the Augustinians is inspired.

Around 388/389 St. Augustine returned to Tagaste (now Souk Ahras in Algeria) after his conversion in Milan. There he began to live a community life, in poverty, prayer and study, together with some companions. In Hippo he became a priest and began his community life with some companions in a monastery he founded. During this period Augustine wrote the Rule.