The Augustinians just made history - and for Fr Leslie Gatt, it's personal. With Pope Leo XIV becoming the first pontiff from the Augustinian Order, the Maltese Prior Provincial quipped: "Having a pope on your WhatsApp contact list is a once-in-a-lifetime thing - if it ever happens at all."
The Malta Independent on Sunday spoke with Fr Leslie regarding his thoughts and reactions to seeing the election of the first-ever Augustinian and North American pope.
Fr Leslie said that the news of Pope Leo XIV, who Fr Leslie had known as Fr Robert Francis Prevost of the Order of St Augustine, "was news which brought different emotions". He remarked that the occasion was received with great joy, and added that having the first Augustinian pope brings forth a sense of pride in the Augustinian religious family, which Fr Leslie said "was actually established by the Holy See through the direct intervention of the Holy Father many years ago and has been serving the Church for almost 800 years".
In regard to Pope Leo XIV also being the first North American Pope, Fr Leslie commented that he thinks this is a reflection of the globalisation of the world, which he thinks also affects the Church in the same way that it has affected society at large. He added that this was also reflected in the vast diversity of the Cardinal electors' countries of origin, "and thus it is no surprise to have another pope coming from the other side of the globe," he said, alluding to the fact that Pope Francis was also from the Americas, being the first South American pope. With that said, Fr Leslie commented that it is notable that Pope Leo XIV himself lived in South America for over 20 years and possesses dual citizenship in the United States of America and Peru, adding that Vatican City citizenship is his third.
As Fr Leslie had known Pope Leo XIV prior to his ascension as the Bishop of Rome, The Malta Independent on Sunday asked the Maltese Augustinian Prior Provincial what approach he believes the pope will have with the papacy. Fr Leslie said that over the years, in particular during the years in which Fr Prevost had served as the Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013, he had noted a serene presence in Fr Prevost "which was also quite visible in his first days of papacy". He said that Fr Prevost's "almost shy look expresses the humbleness which is also another characteristic of his personality and which sometimes contrasts with his constant closeness to the people with a very approachable attitude".
He continued that Fr Prevost's experience as Prior General of the Augustinian Order, which took him to various parts of the world during his duties, "adds up to a baggage of leadership training". He added that Fr Prevost's years as a missionary in Peru also highlight his commitment to the people and missionary work.
Fr Leslie said that the first days of Pope Leo XIV's papacy showed a "very balanced approach which contrasts with the comparisons many tried to find, particularly with his latest predecessors, Pope Francis or Pope Benedict XVI". He continued that some of Pope Leo XIV's words and gestures also reminded him of Pope John Paul II, and continued that in this regard, Pope Leo XIV has from his early appearances proven to be himself and is building his own personality without ignoring the continuation of the legacy of his predecessors, "particularly recognising what Pope Francis has already started in the recent years".
Fr Leslie was asked how he believes Pope Leo XIV's experience as a member of the Order of St Augustine has been reflected in his actions and statements since ascending to the papacy.
He replied that during Pope Leo XIV's first appearance in the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica following the conclusion of the conclave, the newly chosen pope had made a clear affirmation that he is "a son of Saint Augustine". Fr Leslie said that this was evidently a recognition of Pope Leo XIV's roots, "not only in the Augustinian family but moreover in the consecrated life which has, along the years, enriched the Church with its charismas and witness to the radicality of the gospel values". He continued that this background will "undoubtedly" be reflected in the pope's magisterium and papacy at large. Fr Leslie also spoke of how the pope makes continuous reference to St Augustine by consistently citing him during speeches and homilies.
Fr Leslie stated that a particular highlight is concerning the emphasis on communion and on walking together, "which undoubtedly echoes the Augustinian spirituality". He continued that this emphasis has been fundamental in the pope's Augustinian formation and "was obviously stressed along his twelve years serving as Prior General and will probably keep an important place along his papacy".
The Prior Provincial of the Maltese Augustinian Order said that throughout Fr Prevost's years as Prior General, he had visited Malta "probably seven or eight times". He continued that over those years, several Maltese friars were also trusted with various responsibilities on an international level in Rome. Fr Leslie added that for several years, he himself had also served as a member of the International Vocations Commission of the Order. He continued that when Fr Prevost last visited Malta in November 2013 as Cardinal, Fr Leslie had accompanied him on a visit to the Order's Valletta Priory and even had the opportunity to speak with him for an hour and a half while waiting at the Malta International Airport. Fr Leslie added that he recently met with Pope Leo XIV on 18 May 2025 in Rome.
On the topic of the core values of the Augustinian Order in Malta, Fr Leslie said that the fundamental principles of the Order emanate from the monastic ideals of St Augustine of Hippo. He continued that St Augustine sought to adapt his lifestyle to the fraternal life that he dreamed of living, "but also adopting to the service that the Church demanded from him". Fr Leslie continued that in all this, St Augustine always sought to keep discovering God. "Considering ourselves as prime heroes of the heritage of the Bishop of Hippo, Augustinian spirituality can be summarised in three basic values - being communion, the search for God, and service to the Church."