Interview SIC News
Father João Silva, of the Order of St. Augustine, speaks with the emotion of the election of a nearby Pope, passing through Portugal and affinity with the spirituality of his congregation.
Father João Silva, from received “with great joy” Cardinal Robert Prevost, also he Augustinian.
“It is always a surprise to see the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica someone we know and who feel from the house, a habit brother,” he said at SIC Notícias, underlining the thrill of seeing a confrere becoming head of the Catholic Church.
According to Father João Silva, Augustinian spirituality – centered on community life, dialogue and joint demand – will be well represented in the pontificate of Leo XIV.
“We took in the DNA of our vocation to walk together,” he said, adding that the first speech of the new Pope reinforced this Synodal line: “He spoke of dialogue, of tending bridges, encounter and peace.”
The relationship with Portugal is also close. The new Pope visited the country when he was a prior general of the Order and even spoke Portuguese with the brothers of the congregation.
“The experience of Portuguese faith will not be someone else’s”guarantees Father João, recalling the presence of Leo XIV in the next to
