Pope Leo XIV and the true Nigerian connection

When the white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel a new Pope emerged. The new leader of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV.
His emergence made history in Rome. The new pontiff became the first Augustinian priest to become a pope.

This history being made in Rome became a moment of reflection for many across  Nigeria’s Catholic communities. For many years before ascending to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV had worshipped with local Augustinian communities in various countries including Nigeria, building ties that were personal, formative and enduring.

A Pope who knew Nigeria before the world knew him
Long before his name echoed through the marble halls of the Vatican, Robert Prevost was simply Fr. Prevost. As Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013, he visited Nigeria nine times. His work during those years took him across various local church communities.
Even after stepping down as Prior General, Pope Leo XIV maintained a connection. In 2016, while serving as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, he was invited back to Abuja for the Mid-Chapter Assembly of the Nigerian Augustinians due to his wealth of knowledge-a testament to the depth of his relationship with the order in Nigeria.  Recently, Cardinal Robert Prevost  was expected in  Nigeria in July this year  for the ordination of new priests in the Augustinian order, before he was elected Pope on May 8.

A wind of change in Papal history
His election as Pope Leo XIV signals a significant shift in the culture of Catholic leadership. Until Pope Francis—a Jesuit—was elected in 2013, it was highly unusual for a religious priest (one belonging to a congregation or order rather than a diocese) to become pope. Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian friar, is only the second in modern history to break this mold.

The distinction between diocesan and religious priests may be subtle to outsiders, but within the Church, it marks a critical difference in training, lifestyle, and global engagement. While diocesan priests are rooted in specific territories, religious priests often live in community, take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and work across borders.

The journey from Ireland to Nigeria
To understand the significance of Pope Leo XIV’s bond with Nigeria, one must understand the journey of the Augustinian Order itself in the country. The Order was first established in Nigeria in 1938 by missionaries from the Irish Province. Their mission field was the then-Adamawa Province in the North-East—a region marked by cultural diversity and rugged terrain.

What began as a small mission effort gradually evolved into a thriving network of parishes and educational institutions. The first missionaries—Frs. Denis Redmond, Patrick Dalton, Thomas Broder, and later John Power—planted churches and trained local clergy, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become an independent Nigerian Province.

In 1977, Nigeria became a Vice Province, and after years of growth and local leadership, it was granted full Province status in 2001—the same year Pope Leo XIV began his tenure as Prior General.
That confluence of milestones—his leadership and Nigeria’s provincial status—binds his legacy with the country’s spiritual evolution.

A broad Apostolate: education and evangelism
Today, the Augustinians in Nigeria operate 28 houses and serve parishes in cities as diverse as Lagos, Jos, Benin City, Maiduguri and Yola They also run six educational institutions, including the Augustinian Institute of Philosophy in Makurdi and colleges in Nasarawa, Delta, Plateau, and Kaduna States.
The order’s reach extends beyond Nigeria’s borders, with friars serving in London, Rome, South Africa, and Benin Republic. But its heart remains deeply rooted in its Nigerian apostolate—both parochial and educational.

What his Papacy means for Nigeria—and the World
Pope Leo XIV’s election comes at a time when the Catholic Church is increasingly turning its gaze toward the Global South. With Nigeria accounting for one of the fastest-growing Catholic populations in the world, the symbolism of a pope who knows the streets and chapels in Abuja and Maiduguri is profound.

It may also offer new possibilities for global spotlight on Africa’s role in shaping the future of the Church.
In choosing a religious priest with deep roots in mission countries like Nigeria, the Catholic Church is subtly affirming a broader vision—one where tradition and transformation coexist.

As he now serves the whole Church, Pope Leo XIV is no longer formally tied to the Augustinian Order. Yet, for many in Nigeria, his legacy as Prior General remains etched in memory, in parish walls, and in the quiet confidence that sometimes, the seeds planted in faith—no matter how far from Rome—can change the course of history.