Leo XIV before papal election: Francis left a rich legacy

A few days before his election as Pope and immediately after the death of Francis, Leo XIV expressed his deep personal appreciation for his predecessor in an interview. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, former head of the Vatican Bishops' Dicastery, praised Francis' spiritual legacy, his pastoral closeness to the poor and his tireless dedication to the Church, according to a report published on the Spanish-language page of the "Vatican News" portal (Thursday evening).

Prevost first met the then Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio shortly after the turn of the century; he himself was Prior General of the Augustinian Order at the time. "I always had the impression that I was dealing with a man who wanted to live the Gospel authentically and consistently," explained the new Pope. The contact between the two intensified with Bergoglio's election as Pope in 2013.

Francis remembered and came

That same year, Prevost, as Prior General, invited Francis to celebrate the opening mass of the Augustinian General Chapter on 28 August. "To everyone's surprise", the Pope accepted the invitation. A central theme of Prevost's memories of Francis was the Pope's "closeness to the poor and suffering". As Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, he had regular audiences with him. "He asked me: 'How are you? How are things going?" Francis was always concerned about the people of Peru.

One encounter during his trip to Peru in 2018 was particularly moving, when a 99-year-old blind woman from Prevost's diocese travelled to Trujillo especially to meet Francis. "He got out of the car and greeted her." For Prevost, such gestures, "in his beautiful humanity", showed that the late Pope not only wanted to proclaim the Gospel, but also to "live it and pass it on". The joy of the Gospel was a leitmotif of Francis' time in office.

Need to constantly renew the Church

Prevost also emphasised Francis' commitment to migrants. From his first visit to Lampedusa to his last letter to the US bishops in February about the need "to be close to those who suffer and to have the heart of Jesus Christ", Francis has continuously shown signs of solidarity. His last visit to the Regina Coeli prison on Maundy Thursday was particularly impressive - despite his health problems. "A gesture that says it all: his desire to be with the prisoners, even in pain, to show them closeness and love."

Francis often reminded him with a smile: "Don't lose your sense of humour, you have to smile." He repeatedly referred to a prayer by St Thomas More to convey courage and confidence in times of great responsibility. For Prevost, the topic of church reform was also central to the understanding of Francis' pontificate: "He gave us all this spirit to continue with what began with the Second Vatican Council - the need to constantly renew the church." The Church must not lean back, must not stand still. (KNA)