An Unlikely Path: The Making of Pope Robert francis Prevost

The election of Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church has resonated far beyond the Vatican walls. For Father Giuseppe Pagano, Prior of Santo Spirito in Florence, it’s a moment of profound personal significance. Their enduring friendship,nurtured over decades,offers a unique glimpse into the character of the new pontiff.

The bond between the two Augustinians began in 1983 at the International College of the Order of Saint Augustine in Rome. Father Pagano, then 23 and already a priest, was completing his doctoral studies in canon law, while the 28-year-old Robert Prevost was a young American studying theology.This shared foundation within the Augustinian order laid the groundwork for a lasting connection.

A Cardinal’s Conclave, a pope’s Election, and a Heartfelt Message

Father Pagano recounts their last interaction before the conclave with emotion. The last time, he says, we felt as a message before it entered the conclave, in the previous days we had talked to the phone in extreme confidence. He prefers to keep the specifics of their conversation private, but notes that it gave him insight into in which direction the Church was going, a direction he believes is the right one.

Father Pagano expresses confidence in the Cardinal’s choice, describing Pope Prevost as a person of balance, an ideal figure to find that unit that has gradually decreased. He clarifies that this perceived disunity isn’t a direct consequence of pope Francis’s leadership, but rather a result of his progressive vision not being fully embraced by all.

The cardinal brothers have chosen a person of balance,an ideal figure to find that unit that has gradually decreased. Certainly not because of Pope Francisbut for the fact that his simple and at the same time capable of great openings and speaking to the hearts of people has not been fully understood.

Memories and Mutual Respect: Defining a Friendship

Fond memories surface as Father Pagano reflects on their shared history. He recalls Prevost celebrating his sister’s wedding and a memorable road trip through the United States. I remember that he celebrated the wedding of my sister Rita, it comes back to me when we were together in the United States for a holiday from Washington a Chicago. We traveled by car and always guided him. They were Belli and carefree days,complete with bathrooms in the lakes in Illinois.

Their relationship is characterized by honesty and mutual respect. Father Pagano recounts an instance when prevost, as the General of the Augustinian Order, directed him to send Michelangelo’s crucifix to Naples for an exhibition, despite local reservations. Was it general of the Augustinian order when in 2009 he sent me here to Santo Spirito. The first thing he asked was to send Michelangelo’s crucifix to Naples for an exhibition. And here nobody agreed. But we obeyed. Moreover, if the prior general orders there is no maneuver space he said.

Santo Spirito: A Place of Pilgrimage and Support

even after Prevost’s appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Bishops and his elevation to Cardinal in 2023 by Pope Francis, the connection to Santo Spirito remained strong. He visited the basilica on multiple occasions, demonstrating the enduring importance of his friendships and Augustinian roots. These visits provided concrete support from the Florentine Augustinian family when Father Prevost was a missionary in Peru and bishop of the diocese of Chiclayo.

His visit in April 2024, just before the proclamation of Don Gherardo Gambelli as the Archbishop of Florence, highlighted his commitment to the community.He returned to the Brunelleschiana Basilica for the conclusion of the restoration of the transfiguration, a sixteenth -century altarpiece, Painted by Pier Francesco Foschi and preserved in the Capponi of Altopascio chapel, inside Santo Spirito.

Beyond Theology: A Foundation in Mathematics

Before his theological pursuits, the future Pope earned a degree in Mathematics from Villanova University. This background in analytical thinking may influence his approach to leadership within the Church. Villanova university, known for its strong academic programs, is also considering opening a campus in the former military district, a development that could have meaningful implications for the region.