Although Pope Leo’s academic background is predominantly grounded in the northern hemisphere, a significant part of his development as a practitioner took place in Peru. “These life experiences are what sustain you and help you move forward,” Turley, who was Prevost’s superior upon his arrival, explains. “As a young priest, experiencing that, witnessing the beauty amidst poverty, and the goodness and strength people exhibit when united, along with the remarkable achievements that arise when biases and divisions are dismantled.” Prevost echoed similar sentiments at St. Jude’s: “The aspect of ministry that has had the greatest impact on my life is Peru.”
After spending a decade in South America, adapting to the position of head of his native Augustinian province, which spans the Midwest and Canada, must have been quite challenging. One of his responsibilities as provincial prior involved ministering to Augustinian schools, including aiding St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago. Each year, the students participate in a retreat, and the school prefers to invite unfamiliar priests to hear confessions to alleviate any discomfort. In 2000, Prevost was among these priests. “I had attended confession several times prior, but it was usually a brief encounter—I wanted to leave as soon as possible,” recalls Patrick “PJ” McCarthy. “However, this felt more like a conversation.” The two engaged in a dialogue knee-to-knee in the dimly lit room, discussing topics such as underage drinking and sibling rivalries. “He was non-judgmental and very approachable,” McCarthy reflects. Mike Stawski, who participated in the retreat as a student leader, immediately recognized that Prevost stood out from typical priests. “What captivated me about him was that almost instantly, we forgot he wasn’t with us the entire time. He was incredibly hospitable and genuinely invested in our activities.”
