A Filipino friar’s personal journey with Pope Leo XIV: ‘He’s our brother’

Cardinal Robert Prevost (bottom left) with Father Francis Galvan at the Marylake Augustinian Monastery in Ontario in 2010. Photo from The B.C. Catholic website

LOS ANGELES – As white smoke billowed from a chimney above St. Peter’s Square and the world learned the name of the new Pope, one man at the March for Life in Canada stood stunned, unable to react.

It wasn’t just the breaking news. Rather, he was overwhelmed by personal memories of the man who had just been elected Pope – now officially declared the Vicar of Christ on earth, the embodiment of the link between the Church and God, the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics with direct apostolic succession from St. Peter.

“He’s our brother,” said Father Francis Galvan, OSA, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Delta, B.C., and a longtime friend of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost. “Nobody expected this. Even me, as an Augustinian, I never imagined he’d rise this far.”

Father Galvan spoke to the The B.C. Catholic’s Nicolas Elbers moments after the announcement, reflecting with emotion and pride on the unexpected elevation of a fellow Augustinian to the papacy – an unprecedented moment in the recent history of the order.

“We were in the same province. He was our provincial. Then he became general. I was installed by him,” said Fr. Galvan.

The bond runs deep. As the former General of the Order of St. Augustine, Prevost had visited Sacred Heart Parish several times. “He celebrated Mass right here,” Father Galvan told his students the day of the announcement. “You know this church? The Pope celebrated Mass here!”

For Father Galvan, who is Filipino, another candidate had seemed more likely to succeed Pope Francis. “In my heart, I was expecting Tagle,” he admitted, referring to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a prominent figure in the global Church.

Cardinal Tagle, from the Philippines, is head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization and was widely considered a front-runner.

“But Prevost—he’s like a wild card,” Galvan said.

Before his election as Pope, Robert Prevost had held several leadership roles within the Augustinian Order, which he joined in 1977.

He was ordained in 1982 and sent to a mission in Peru in 1985. After returning to his hometown of Chicago in 1999, he steadily rose through the ranks. Pope Francis appointed him bishop in Peru in 2015 and later elevated him to cardinal in 2023.

Most recently, he served in Rome as prefect of the Congregation for Bishops – an influential role in shaping Church leadership and the highest position any Augustinian had ever held in modern times.

Still, Galvan said Prevost’s election surprised Church insiders. “When the white smoke came, I whispered it to Archbishop Miller before the Gospel. After Mass, we wondered who it might be. Nobody guessed Prevost,” he said.

Yet to those who know him well, the election of Pope Leo XIV makes profound sense.

“A good listener, a good organizer, and someone who speaks with conviction – especially on social issues and the dignity of the poor,” is how Galvan described him.

A canon lawyer and experienced pastor, Pope Leo XIV is known for his humility, prudence and strong commitment to social justice and community life. That deep commitment to veritas, unitas, caritas – truth, unity and charity – is the heart of the Augustinian charism.

“St. Augustine taught us to care for one another, to correct one another, and to become more than friends, to become true brothers,” Galvan explained.

Founded in the 13th century and inspired by St. Augustine of Hippo, the Order emphasizes communal living and unity of heart and mind. “Our living together is a ministry in and of itself,” said Galvan. “Before ministry, there is community.”

The order serves in over 40 countries, including Canada, where Augustinians minister in parishes like Sacred Heart in Delta, B.C.

According to Galvan, Pope Leo XIV embodies the spirit of the order. “He avoids strong personalities. He’s low-key. But when he speaks, he captures everything in a few words.” That approach, Galvan believes, will define his papacy.

“He knows what it means to belong to a brotherhood, Galvan added. “He lives simply. Eats breakfast with the brothers. He doesn’t isolate himself.”

Though Galvan avoids predicting policy changes, he anticipates a pontificate grounded in community, prudence and a strong Catholic identity. “He’s a canon lawyer and an Augustinian. In doctrine, he’ll be firm. But like Pope Francis, he’ll promote Catholic social teaching and the preferential option for the poor.”

Galvan also reflected on the significance of the papal name: “Everyone expected Francis II or Benedict XVII. But Leo? That’s bold. It recalls Pope Leo XIII and Rerum Novarum – the Church’s foundational teaching on workers and social justice.”

With this, Galvan believes the new Pope is “signaling that something new is coming.”

In that sense, the name isn’t about breaking from tradition – but stepping beyond labels.

“By choosing Leo, he separates himself from the political motivations that try to pit one Pope against another. He is his own man,” Galvan said.

Behind Galvan’s joy lies personal history. “When I was studying in Rome, Prevost – then our general –asked me to commit ten years to serve at the papal sacristy. I said no. I didn’t want to think about it because if I thought too long, I’d say yes.”

He chuckled at the memory.

“So, I said no to our general. And now – he’s the Pope!”

Despite the high office, Galvan believes the man he regards as a brother remains unchanged.  “After his term as general, he returned to life as a friar. Just one of us. That’s the kind of leader he is.”

In Augustinian communities worldwide, the joy is palpable. One of their own now wears the white Cossack. Not for glory. Not for power. But, as Galvan says, “for the sake of the Church and the ministry.

“We shook hands. We gave the sign of peace. I’ve known this man for many years, Galvan said. “And now, he’s Pope Leo XIV.  I’m just so happy.”