What does a new pope mean for the Church today?
For Br Mark O’Connor FMS, Vicar of Communications in the Diocese of Parramatta, who recently returned from Rome after witnessing the funeral of Pope Francis and the swift election of Pope Leo XIV – it means hope, humility, and a Church continuing its journey of renewal.
Br Mark O’Connor FMS, Vicar for Communications in the Diocese of Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Insights from a national webinar
At a national webinar hosted by Garratt Publishing on 3 June, Br Mark joined Fr Chris Monaghan CP and Fr Peter Jones OSA, Provincial of the Augustinian Order in Australasia, to share insights on Pope Leo XIV – the first Augustinian pope and a profoundly pastoral leader.
“I thought, this is the right man for the right time – not a photocopy of Pope Francis, but a man with the same vision and perhaps a slightly different style.”
A gentle presence with deep experience
Born in Chicago and shaped by missionary service in Peru, Pope Leo is known for his calm, prayerful presence.
“He was a very quiet, gentle presence, listening to people,” Br Mark said as he recalled a dinner they shared.
“At the end of the dinner, he was a bit embarrassed and said, ‘I’m the last one to leave – that’s a bad sign!’”
Beneath that gentle manner is a leader with decades of pastoral and administrative experience.
“He’s not a typical American in that sense. He’s a man with great pastoral experience and experience of government,” Br Mark explained.
“When he was elected, I kept saying to people, ‘I think he might get to be pope,’ and they’d say, ‘No, no, he’s American — he won’t have a chance.’”
“But people underestimated how deeply he resonated with the Latin American bishops. They see him as one of them.”
Rooted in Augustinian values
Rooted deeply in the Augustinian tradition, Pope Leo’s vision focuses on community, healing, and the inner life of faith.
“The Augustinian lens places emphasis on communion – that degree of love, forgiveness, friendship – and on the Lord’s inner presence in our lives,” Br Mark said.
“Service is not taken on as a glory in itself, but because it comes out of love, which is God’s grace to us.”
Trusting the Spirit
Despite early speculation about the direction the new pope might take, Br Mark urged the faithful to trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance
“We have to all be careful not to overthink what is going to happen… We have to trust the Spirit.”
He believes Pope Leo XIV will build on the foundation laid by Pope Francis.
“Francis sometimes issued harsh prophetic truths. Leo is perhaps a more considered man… But I don’t think the vision is very different at all.”
Committed to dialogue
Br Mark emphasised Pope Leo XIV’s deep commitment to dialogue and communion.
“He’ll be very serious about communion and dialogue – by that I mean listening and being attuned.”
This approach resonates closely with the Diocese of Parramatta’s Pastoral Plan, which calls the community to a renewed practice of listening, dialogue, and discernment as a path to greater unity and mission.
As Prior General, Leo XIV visited Australia six times, and many remember his warmth.
“He mixed with everyone – young, old. It was very clear: his genuine interest in the other person.”
“He’s a man of listening, dialogue, and accompaniment,” Br Mark said.
“A pope for this time.”
Watch the full webinar recording on YouTube.
Books on Pope Leo XVI are available for purchase from Garratt Publishing.
