The white smoke has cleared, the bells of St. Peter’s have rung, and the world is finally getting used to a new face on the balcony. Naturally, the first thing everyone wants to know is the background. Specifically, a question has been buzzing around since May 2025: is the new pope a Jesuit?
If you’re still thinking about Pope Francis, the answer was a resounding yes. He made history as the first member of the Society of Jesus to sit on the Chair of Peter. But things have changed. In the wake of Francis's passing in April 2025, the College of Cardinals gathered and made a different kind of choice.
The New Guy: Is the New Pope a Jesuit?
Basically, the short answer is no. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is not a Jesuit.
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Honestly, it’s an easy mistake to make. He worked very closely with Francis and shares a lot of that "man of the people" energy. But his spiritual DNA comes from a completely different branch of the Catholic family tree. Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian. Specifically, he belongs to the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA).
Think about that for a second. While the Jesuits are famous for being the "intellectual commandos" of the Church, the Augustinians are all about community and the "restless heart" for God. It’s a subtle shift, but it’s a big deal in the Vatican world. He’s actually the first Augustinian pope in centuries, which is kind of wild when you realize how old that order is.
Prevost was born in Chicago. He’s the first-ever American pope, which still feels a bit surreal to say out loud. He spent decades in Peru, working as a missionary and eventually a bishop. That’s probably why he feels so much like Francis—they both have that deep, gritty experience with the poor in Latin America.
Why the Jesuit Question Keeps Popping Up
People keep asking "is the new pope a Jesuit" because for over a decade, the "Jesuit way" was the only way the papacy operated. We got used to the Ignatian style of discernment. We got used to the focus on the "peripheries."
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When Leo XIV stepped out in that red mozzetta on May 8, 2025, he didn't look like a break from the past. He looked like a continuation. He’s kept a lot of the same priorities:
- Migrant rights (he’s been vocal about this since his days in Peru).
- Synodality (basically, the Church talking to itself more).
- Climate change.
But his approach is rooted in St. Augustine’s City of God. He talks a lot about "diplomacy of synthesis." It's less about the Jesuit "boots on the ground" social activism and more about finding a theological middle ground in a very polarized world.
A Tale of Two Orders: Jesuits vs. Augustinians
To understand why the "is the new pope a Jesuit" question matters, you have to look at the differences between these groups.
The Jesuits (Society of Jesus) were founded by Ignatius of Loyola. They’re known for education, science, and being a bit… rebellious? They have a reputation for pushing boundaries. Francis was 100% that.
Augustinians, on the other hand, follow the Rule of St. Augustine. Their motto is Anima una et cor unum in Deum—one mind and one heart in God. It’s way more focused on the interior life and community living. Leo XIV brings that "community first" vibe to the Vatican.
He isn't just a career diplomat, though he did lead the Dicastery for Bishops. He’s a canon lawyer and a mathematician. Yeah, he has a degree in math from Villanova. It’s a weirdly cool combination of skills for a guy running a global religion.
Making History in 2026
We are now well into 2026, and the "new" pope isn't so new anymore. He’s already making massive moves. Just this month, he proclaimed a Franciscan Jubilee Year to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.
Wait, if he's an Augustinian, why is he doing a Franciscan year?
Because he’s smart. He knows the world loved the Franciscan spirit of the previous pope. By leaning into that, he’s bridging the gap. He even granted permission for the public display of St. Francis’s body in Assisi later this year. That’s a huge move for pilgrims.
He’s also dealing with some heavy lifting on the global stage. He’s been surprisingly tough on foreign policy lately, warning that "war is back in vogue." He isn't just a "nice guy" from Chicago; he’s got a backbone.
What This Means for You
So, does it matter that he isn't a Jesuit? Kinda.
If you were a fan of the Jesuit style of leadership—very top-down, very focused on specific social justice "missions"—you might find Leo XIV a bit different. He’s more about the "extraordinary consistory." He wants the Cardinals to actually talk to each other instead of just being a rubber stamp.
He’s trying to fix the "ship's crew," as he puts it.
Real Insights to Take Away
- Check the Order: When a new pope is elected, the religious order they belong to is the biggest hint about how they will lead. Jesuit = Activism/Discernment. Augustinian = Community/Synthesis.
- The American Factor: Having a pope from Chicago changes the dynamic with the West. He understands the "culture wars" in a way an Italian or an Argentinian might not.
- Continuity is Key: Even though he isn't a Jesuit, he hasn't overturned the table. He’s keeping the reform spirit of the 2025 Jubilee alive.
If you’re following the news out of the Vatican this year, watch his trips to Spain and his speeches on AI and technology. He’s bringing a very modern, very "Augustinian" perspective to things that didn't exist when the Rule of St. Augustine was written.
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You should keep an eye on the upcoming "Year of Saint Francis" celebrations. Even if you aren't Catholic, the cultural impact of these global events—especially with the first American pope at the helm—is going to be everywhere in the news for the rest of 2026.
Check the official Vatican news or the National Catholic Reporter for deep dives into his latest encyclicals. Or, if you're in Italy this February, the display of St. Francis's body in Assisi is basically a once-in-a-lifetime event you shouldn't miss.