“One of our own”: South Africa’s Augustinian Nuns Rejoice at Election of Pope Leo XIV

“We were waiting for the name after the white smoke, and when I heard it was an Augustinian, I ran to tell the others,” Sr. Margaret said, and emphasized, “It was overwhelming. We always saw Popes as far away in the Vatican, but now, one of our own. It’s deeply humanizing.”

On May 8 evening, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where the 133 Cardinal Electors had been gathering since the previous day for the 2025 Conclave. 

The white smoke signalled that the 133 Cardinal Electors had elected the successor of St. Peter to take over from the late Pope Francis, who passed on Easter Monday, April 21 and was laid to rest on April 26 in his “beloved” Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major as he had explained in his testament.

When the new Pontiff, who has taken the Papal name Leo XIV appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he addressed the people of God present in person and all those, who were watching around the world, offering his first blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) as the new Roman pontiff.

In his first address as Pope, the 69-year-old American-born Augustinian asked the people of God to help the Church build bridges through dialogue and encounter, working for unity and peace.

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The newly elected Pontiff has explained his choice of Papal name, noting that Pope Leo XIII “addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution” with his May 1891 Encyclical Letter on capital and labor, Rerum Novarum.

“In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labor,” Pope Leo XIV said.

In the May 11 interview, the AMJ members recalled then Fr. Robert Francis Prevost visits to South Africa, when he was serving as OSA Prior General, from 2001 to 2013. 

“He was quiet; a man of few words. But when he asked you something, you felt seen. He was deeply compassionate and fully present. He wasn’t just a visitor; he was a brother,” Sr. Beata Msomi recalled.

Sr. Stephen Middleton, who has served in South Africa for 47 years, described the new Pontiff as “a listener”, who she recalled, “paid attention to what we were doing and who we were. That listening spirit; that’s what the synodal Church is about.”

In the interview, Sr. Beata shared referring to Pope Leo XIV, then Fr. Robert Prevost, “I remember him at the children’s home. He didn’t shy away from the chaos or the children trying to climb on him. He embraced them, literally and spiritually.”

The AMJ members have expressed the hope that the election of Pope Leo XIV brings renewed awareness of their Congregation’s charism. 

“We are the Augustinian Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus,” Sr. Zonke said, and added, “Our life revolves around three pillars—community, prayer, and apostolic service. These must always feed into each other. Our Eucharistic life centres us.”

In the interview, Sr Margaret said, “Our numbers have decreased. But this joy of having a Pope from our Congregation brings strength. It reminds us we are not forgotten. We are still part of something greater.”

The AMJ members went on to reflect on the significance of the Papal name, Leo XIV. For Sr Stephen, “Pope Leo XIII championed the rights of workers and the dignity of ordinary people. Perhaps this new Pope is signalling his commitment to those same values.”

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Sr. Beata Recalled the Holy Father’s maiden speech as Pope. She said, “I think he wants to be a man of peace, just like Pope Leo XIII and Saint Augustine, whose legacy he inherits.”

“We surround him with our love and prayers. We ask him to pray for us, too, that we may continue our mission of mercy, even as our numbers grow smaller. And we trust the Holy Spirit will guide him,” Sr Margaret said in the May 11 interview with SACBC Communication Office.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.