Pope Leo invites us to be “born from above” through unity in the Basilica of Saint Augustine
In the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Hippo, Pope Leo calls for unity and for being “born from above” as spiritual preparation for his forthcoming visit to the Augustinian Family in Spain.
The homily in Hippo spiritually prepares the Holy Father’s forthcoming visit to the Augustinian Family in Spain
On Tuesday, the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Annaba (ancient Hippo) was the setting for a deeply Augustinian homily in which Pope Leo focused his message on unity as a sign of new life in Christ. His words take on special meaning for the Augustinian Family in Spain, which is preparing to welcome the Holy Father in the coming months.
The Eucharist, celebrated as a votive Mass of Saint Augustine, brought together faithful and religious in the land where the bishop of Hippo lived and shepherded his Church. Among those present were friars of the Order of Saint Augustine, including its Prior General, Fr. Joseph Farrell.
Born from above: a call for today
Starting from the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus (cf. Jn 3), the Pope recalled that Christian life is always a rebirth “from above”, a transformation born of grace. In this context, he twice evoked Saint Augustine, underlining the primacy of God in the believer’s life: «Give what you command, and command what you will» (Confessions, X, 29, 40). And also:
«I would be nothing, my God, nothing at all, if you were not in me; or rather, would it not be better to say that I would not exist at all if I were not in you?» (Confessions, I, 2).
The Holy Father presented the bishop of Hippo as a witness of conversion, recalling how his journey was accompanied by the persevering tears of his mother, Saint Monica, a sign of a faith that hopes against all hope.
Unity, sign of the Church born of God
At the heart of the homily was a firm call to unity. Drawing on the Acts of the Apostles, the Pope stressed that the first Christian community “was of one heart and soul”, pointing out that this communion is not the result of human strategies but of God’s love, which transforms hearts.
This unity, he explained, takes shape in shared life, in charity and in the ability to make our goods a gift for others. In this way the Church becomes a sign of hope: where there is division, it builds communion; where there is poverty, it restores dignity; where there is conflict, it sows reconciliation.
Preparing for a long-awaited visit
The words spoken in Hippo resound as spiritual preparation for Pope Leo’s forthcoming visit to Spain. The invitation to be born from above translates into a concrete commitment: strengthening communion, living fraternity and offering a credible witness to the Gospel.
The Pope encouraged Christians to be a humble yet meaningful presence, like incense which, small as it is, perfumes everything. An image that reflects a discreet, faithful and deeply missionary Church.
A “very special” moment in the land of Saint Augustine
At the end of the celebration, the Holy Father thanked everyone for their welcome and described the journey as “a very special moment that God has allowed”, highlighting what it means for an Augustinian Pope to celebrate the Eucharist in the city of Saint Augustine.
In his final words, he raised a trusting plea: he asked for God’s mercy “so that together we may all recognize and walk the path of justice, peace and communion”.
Unity for mission
From the land of Saint Augustine, where faith became life and thought, Pope Leo has traced a clear horizon: a Church reborn from God, united in love and able to offer the world the hope of a new life.
The Augustinian Family in Spain receives this message as a direct call to prepare inwardly for the visit of the Successor of Peter, strengthening unity as a visible sign of the Gospel.