Playing His Cards Close: Pope Leo Moves Clearly Along a Progressive Path

A few days after his election as pope in May, Leo XIV stepped into a chauffeur-driven black VW minivan with tinted windows and made a surprise visit to the international headquarters of the Augustinian order in Rome.

- Angela Giuffrida

A few days after his election as pope in May, Leo XIV stepped into a chauffeur-driven black VW minivan with tinted windows and made a surprise visit to the international headquarters of the Augustinian order in Rome. Not only was he the first American pope, the tiny religious order that Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, ran for 12 years had also just delivered its first pontiff in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Still somewhat bewildered by his election, he had a yearning to see his fellow Augustinian brothers.

Over lunch, Leo spoke about the change to his life and how he would need to renounce his pleasure of driving or freely going for a walk. "He appeared very tense on TV so it was nice to see him more relaxed," said Pasquale Cormio, the rector of the Basilica of St Augustine in central Rome's Campo Marzio, who met Leo during their priesthood training. "He was aware of the weight of the role, but said: 'Look, I assure you, I will never give up being your brother.'"