The trip to Villanova convinced Bickel of his desire to be an Augustinian priest. It also gave him his first extensive look into the heart and soul of the future pope, a glimpse that has turned into a revelation about his friend through the years — and the way he believes Pope Leo will approach his papacy.

The Augustinian order has been in the spotlight since May 8, the day one of its own was elected pope. Interest in Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, has been steady, and so have the inquiries into joining the U.S. provinces of the men’s Order of St. Augustine.

Pope Leo XIV, as the first U.S.-born pope, may bring unique insight to the problem of polarization in the U.S. and in the U.S. church, analysts told OSV News.

I’ve also had an absolute conviction, from the moment that his papal name was announced, that this pontificate will have an historical significance to rival that of John Paul II’s, Leo XIII’s, and Pius IX’s.

As the Sisters of Christian Charity watched the white smoke rise from the Sistine Chapel in Rome May 8 and awaited the appearance of the new pope on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, they had no idea they had played a vital role in his early formation.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors hopes to deliver a “Universal Guidelines Framework for Safeguarding” to Pope Leo XIV later this year, the commission said.

The Council of Nicaea 1,700 years ago recognized that Christian unity had to be based on a common faith and should be demonstrated by a common celebration of Easter, the most sacred feast of the Christian year, said speakers at a Rome conference.

Because of its universal character and outlook, the Catholic Church can be a driving force for building communion between the church of Rome and the local churches as well as fostering friendly relationships in the world community, Pope Leo XIV told members of the Vatican Secretariat of State.

While the world is still just getting to know him, first impressions appear to hint that Pope Leo XIV doesn’t seem like a pontiff to say, “I told you so.”

Although Pope Francis already set Aug. 3 as the date to declare the sainthood of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Pope Leo XIV will hold a meeting with cardinals to approve his canonization and that of seven other people.