'No one has all the answers on their own': Pope Leo urges a greater unity within the Church

ROME - Inside the church where Romans have always gone to pray for protection for expectant mothers, on Monday afternoon the Augustinian monks and nuns warmly greeted the first Augustinian Pope in history, as he arrived to inaugurate the General Chapter for the election of the new prior.

 This was a completely unprecedented move, highlighting Pope Leo XIV’s closeness to the religious order of the Saint of Hippo, writes Il Messaggero. After all, shortly after being elected in the conclave, the pontiff made it clear that he would never renounce his adopted religious family or his Augustinian identity.

In the homily he prepared for the Augustinians, Pope Leo XIV delivered a message that could be extended to the entire Church, which today, more than ever, is in need of internal unity. “Unity must be an essential goal of your efforts, but not only that: it must also be the standard by which you evaluate your actions and your work together. Because what unites comes from Christ, but what divides cannot be from Him.”

 These significant words immediately called to mind the greatest challenge Pope Prevost now faces: called by the cardinals to restore peace among opposing factions, mending many rifts and divisions, a heavy legacy from the previous pontiff. “No one should think they have all the answers on their own. Everyone should share openly what they have,” he urged, emphasizing three concepts: unity, humility, and listening.

When Leo XIV arrived in the Sant’Eustachio district from the Vatican in a large Volkswagen sedan, he was welcomed by the outgoing prior, Father Alejandro Moral, who embraced him emotionally. Behind the barriers, a small crowd had gathered, hoping to catch a closer glimpse of the Pope.

Among them was a young Peruvian trans woman, who had come from the Diocese of Chiclayo to participate in the upcoming first Jubilee of the global LGBT community. She carried a double-sided flag: on one side, white and red, the colours of Peru (the second nationality of Pope Prevost); on the other, it read: “Trans Torvaianica.” She told Il Messaggero her name is Ana Flavia Chavez, a journalist who had known Prevost when he was bishop in Chiclayo.

 “When he was bishop, I greatly admired him for his broad and welcoming vision. For him, the Church wasn’t a place full of walls, but full of mercy and kindness. For me – for us – Prevost was considered a sort of father, a loving figure.” Ana Flavia hopes to meet Leo XIV with her partner in a private audience in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Monday morning the Pontiff received in audience Father James Martin, the American Jesuit and advocate for gay rights.

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