The idea of Pope Leo XIV taking turns with his brothers to do the dishes and laundry might seem amusing, but the value of living in community with fellow Augustinians in Rome is not far-fetched, a Brisbane Augustinian says. Source: The Catholic Leader.
British newspaper The Telegraph reported last week that Pope Leo intends to live with four other Augustinians when he moves into the Apostolic Palace later this year.
It said Pope Leo’s decision appeared to be the first time in modern history that a pope has shared his official living quarters on the third floor of the palace.
Augustinian priest and chaplain at Villanova College in Brisbane, Fr Saldie Resolado, said the news was both inspiring and unsurprising.
He said Pope Leo has lived in community for most of his life.
“I can’t imagine myself not living in a community because this is part of me now,” he said.
“When I go home, and I call it home now, I know there are brothers there who wait for me,” he said.
“Similarly with Pope Leo, when he goes home after his papal duty, he goes home because there are brothers waiting here for him.”
He said they would be there to check on him, his wellbeing and his spiritual wellness.
Living in community, he said, was an essential part of the Augustinian charism and part of the Rule of St Augustine.
He said living in community was like being a “mirror for each other”.
“If a brother had a struggle in some aspect, there is someone you can talk to or who can check in on you,” he said.
He said St Augustine had said the ultimate reason for community life was to become “one mind” and “one heart” with one’s brothers.
A community life, he said, was “tough”.
“Really, it’s not easy,” he said. “It’s going to be imperfect every day. You know the rough edges that we also have with each other, but also the banters are helpful and the humour too.”
While renovations are completed on the papal apartment, Pope Leo is living in the Sagrestia building next to St Peter’s Basilica.
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Brisbane Augustinian explains why Pope Leo might choose to have ‘flatmates’ in apostolic apartments (The Catholic Leader)
