I have never met Pope Leo XIV under the title of Robert Francis Provost or any other title. But I do know people who know him. And I know people who know about him. We all share the surprise in the election of the first Pope from America.
Father Provost came from Chicago, but many of us come from many different places. He must carry that sense of being from Chicago with him, although he has developed his personality through being an Augustinian missionary to particular peoples, and of being a member of the Augustinian community itself. As a missionary, a leader of his order, and Bishop in Peru, the indicators are that he has been strongly involved in sharing the faith and helping people find their connection to God.
He must have stood in good stead with the other Cardinals. He has had so much experience in so many different places, and such a desire to connect with people and understand them, it reveals a direction that God wanted to share, and the Cardinals were open to accept. He demonstrates understanding that he does not do this alone as he reminded the Cardinals, and us, when he gave his first address at the Vatican window. He looks to build bridges between people, and he invites all of us to move forward together in our understanding of faith and life.
