A number of years in the past, Pope Francis turned to an Augustinian priest and requested a query a couple of personnel resolution he was contemplating.
“If I title Prevost as the pinnacle of the workplace for the bishops, how do you assume he’ll do?” the Rev. Alejandro Ethical Antón, the prior normal of the Order of St. Augustine, mentioned Francis requested him within the library of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. He was referring to Robert Francis Prevost, a fellow Augustinian cleric.
Father Ethical Antón mentioned he would do nicely.
“I additionally assume he’ll,” Francis answered.
He did higher than most would have imagined. And on Thursday, he adopted Francis because the chief of the Roman Catholic Church, turning into its 267th pope.
However the quiet dialog within the Apostolic Palace was the results of years of a longtime connection between the current and future popes.
The 2 first met in Buenos Aires, when Francis was Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
“Not all my encounters with Cardinal Bergoglio had been at all times in settlement,” the long run Leo mentioned at a 2023 occasion.
However over time, Leo additionally expressed admiration and heat for Francis, in response to folks near the pope.
“Pope Leo spoke of Pope Francis as a very good pal,” mentioned the Rev. Tony Pizzo, one of many new pope’s associates and a former schoolmate.
By 2013, Francis had turn into pope, and the long run Leo had turn into the prior normal for the Augustinian order in Rome, a task he was about to depart. Then Francis accepted an invite to preside over a non-public Mass on the Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome.
“Bob almost fell over,” mentioned the Rev. Anthony Banks, one other Augustinian. Often, he mentioned, “popes don’t have the time or the power to spend” at congregational Plenty.
On the Mass, Father Prevost known as the pope “a terrific reward” and praised his compassion and outreach to the trustworthy.
It was not lengthy till Francis named him bishop of the Peruvian diocese of Chiclayo.
Francis was inspired by stories about how shut he caught to his flock in Chiclayo, in response to Father Ethical Antón, who mentioned he continued to have conversations with Francis in regards to the new bishop. In 2023, Francis appointed him to guide the Vatican’s workplace overseeing bishops, one of many church’s prime jobs, and named him to be a cardinal.
“I’ve combined emotions,” the long run pope mentioned on the 2023 occasion, held simply earlier than he left Peru or the Vatican. He mentioned his choice can be to remain in Chiclayo, and that “the pope is aware of that too.”
Nonetheless, he added, “I’m grateful to the Holy Father for this nice demonstration of belief.”
In Rome, Francis saved nearer tabs on future Leo, assembly with him each Saturday. And after a serious assembly of church leaders, Francis expressed admiration for his work ethic. “Prevost’s preparation,” Father Ethical Antón mentioned Francis instructed him, “was superb.”
Elda Cantú contributed reporting from Mexico Metropolis and Rosa Chávez Yacila from Lima, Perù.
