Do you think Pope Leo XIV is a revolutionary? Prior remembers Pope's visit to the Vienna Augustinians

He doesn't pretend, acts calmly, and doesn't get upset. This is how Father Dominic Sadrawetz describes his fellow monk, Pope Leo XIV. The prior of the Austrian Augustinian monastery recalls the last visit of his former superior to Vienna in an interview.

The High Altar of the Vienna Augustinian Church

Just last year, in November 2024, Cardinal Robert Prevost was in Austria as superior of the order and visited the only Augustinian convent there in Vienna. In an interview with katholisch.de, the 59-year-old prior of the monastery, Father Dominic Sadrawetz, recalls this visit. He talks about how he perceives his fellow monk through the media today and also reveals how his former superior handled conflicts. He also reports on the impact the papal election has had on his own monastery.

Question: Father Dominic, Pope Leo XIV has been in office for a few weeks now. How do you perceive him in his new role?

Father Dominic: I experience Pope Leo XIV as an authentic pope. He is who he is. He doesn't pretend. In all the photos I see of him in the media, he looks like I've seen him many times before: a hearty smile on his lips, friendly to people. He's remained normal, I would say, because he has a good way of approaching people and listening to them. He doesn't talk much, or rather, he takes his time to say something. But when he does say something, it's something meaningful. And he doesn't get flustered. He's a calm conversationalist.

Question: Did you previously experience him as shy?

Father Dominic: He's not shy, more reserved. Pope Leo XIV can definitely laugh heartily and has a cheerful disposition. He visited our convent just last November. We experienced him as benevolent toward us; he took a lot of time and listened to us. And afterward, we went out for steak together. We even gave him a white miter, which he now wears as Pope, most recently at the Pentecost service. We're really pleased about that. Sometimes I'm amazed at how he manages his appointments as Pope. He's constantly on the move. After all, he's 69 years old, while others have long since retired.

Question: Do you consider Pope Leo XIV someone who shies away from conflict or who approaches it openly?

Father Dominic: From my experience of him so far, he's someone who can endure conflict and who addresses it. Above all, he's someone who always tries to find solutions together with others – on an equal footing. That's something I think will benefit him as Pope, something that will bear fruit during his pontificate. What I've heard about him from the media so far impresses me. For example, his recommendation to journalists to say no to the war of words and images and his appreciation of marriage and family. He's on a missionary mission in this regard. He's interested in what's going on and tries to find solutions. Perhaps in a different way than we're used to. Therefore, I'm convinced he'll do his job well.

Question: Do you think Pope Leo XIV is a revolutionary?

Father Dominic: No, he's not a revolutionary. He treats people well. He speaks kindly to everyone; he's diplomatic. That's how I experienced him as a Cardinal in the Curia. When he visited our convent in Vienna last November, the people were so happy after the services that he had taken the time for them. He didn't leave, but stayed, listened, and sought out conversations. He was always with the people and still enjoys being there, that's my experience. I noticed that during his first speech in the loggia. He was moved by the people and almost cried. I think he sensed that the people were happy that he was now there. And the way he's going to do it, it will be good. He'll do his utmost and tackle the issues that are currently relevant. He's not someone who sweeps things under the rug or hides them under the carpet.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost visited the Vienna Augustinian Convent in 2024 for the 675th anniversary of the consecration of the Augustinian Church. 

Question: Do you think he can handle the pressure of being under constant media and public scrutiny as Pope?

Father Dominic: Yes. He accepted the papacy and the responsibilities that come with it from the very beginning. Therefore, he will be able to handle it, including the pressure, the differing opinions, and the factions within the Church and the Vatican. I'm sure of that. I rather think that people expect too much of him. This is also evident in the mail we receive daily. Since his election, many people have written to us and shared their various requests for the Pope. They concern social issues, peace policy concerns, and ideas concerning church policy. Sometimes they are even crazy ideas. They bring their requests to the Pope to us so that we can forward them directly to him. People believe that we have unhindered access to him. They imagine it all to be so easy.

Question: How do you handle these letters to the Pope?

Father Dominic: I call people directly. I think things can be clarified better through conversation. I learned this from my parents and in the order: to seek open dialogue. Some things can be resolved more quickly by talking to each other, and conflicts can often be resolved that way. Things need to be discussed when they're important.

Question: Have you also experienced this way of communicating with the current Pope?

Father Dominic: Yes. When we as an Order needed something from him, he usually responded immediately as the Order's General. Mostly by email, though, because he was always traveling a lot. But he always responded as quickly as possible, which I thought was good.

Question: How did the Pope previously deal with the issue of dealing with abuse in the Order?

Father Dominic: He was our Superior General when the issue arose so strongly in 2010. In Rome, too, he addressed the issue of clarifying cases and not sweeping anything under the rug; it was important to him. Since then, we have had abuse commissioners and prevention centers in the Order.

"We experience so much positive feedback from him. It is an encouragement for us as members of the Order, and it brings a new joy in our faith."

— Quote: Father Dominic Sadrawetz

Question: What issues do you think he will particularly emphasize as Pope?

Father Dominik: As a religious, questions about the life of religious were important to him. So, how do we live together with people in today's world? How do we sharpen our order's profile? It's about the apostolate of the order, that is, how we credibly proclaim the Good News as a community, how we spread to other countries, and how we can cope there. He was always concerned with social issues as well. His main concern was that we stand on the side of Jesus and thus on the side of those who are on the margins, who are poor and suffering. We must see others as Christ did. It is important to him to see everything from Jesus' perspective. Jesus is the face we should see in others. Thus, we should look at the pressing questions of the time and seek new solutions.

Question: Since the election of the Augustinian Pope, have there been more people joining or interested in your order?

Father Dominic: It would be nice if that were the case. At least I'm noticing a greater level of interest. But those who are seriously interested were already there before and now feel greatly strengthened by him for their path. We are three Augustinians in our monastery. Our novice is currently in Bavaria. That doesn't sound like many. Our former superior, Robert Prevost, always encouraged us. We teach at a high school, serve as pastors at the Augustinian Church, and lead the city's pastoral care. If we let the fact that there are only three of us intimidate us, we could pack up. But we make the most of what we have. It's important that we remain community-minded. My fellow brothers and I are happy that an Augustinian is now Pope. We've experienced so much positive feedback about him. It's an encouragement for us as members of the order, and it brings a new joy in our faith.

Question: Do you wish Pope Leo XIV would wear his black habit more often as a member of the Order?

Father Dominic: I don't know if he even wears it anymore. Since his election, I've only seen him in white. We Augustinians also wear a white habit. Our confreres in Africa, for example, wear it when they travel in missionary territory. I simply suspect it's because of the heat, in hotter countries. So, from that perspective, it would be fitting for him to continue to travel in his religious habit. However, it's more important to me that Pope Leo XIV said right at the beginning of his ministry that he is both Pope and Augustinian. He said on the loggia that he remains a son of Saint Augustine. I think this spirituality has shaped him so far and will continue to shape him.

Question: Have you congratulated him personally yet, or will you meet him?

Father Dominic: No, not yet. But if I had the opportunity, I would congratulate him. The next general chapter of our order will be in September. I don't think I'll be there. I would be delighted to see the Pope in an audience. I'll be in Rome in October, but I don't think I'll be able to get through to him. And we are already hoping that he will come to Vienna again. But there are certainly other places where he is needed more urgently at the moment.

Question: How will you approach him?

Father Dominic: I have always called him Father Robert. Now I would address him as Holy Father. But our friendly, fraternal bond remains.

Question: What do you wish your confrere, Pope Leo XIV?

Father Dominic: I wish him only one thing: "God's blessing". We say: "Everything depends on God's blessing". He needs blessings that will strengthen him in his tasks. And good companions.

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