Leo XIV tiene vínculos familiares en Andalucía, con raíces en Córdoba y un pariente en Huelva

The American Robert Prevost, chosen on Thursday as Pope, the 267th in history named Leo XIV, has family ties in Andalucia. Specifically, his maternal grandparents were from Córdoba, and his great father, Víctor Prevost, lived in Huelva and was one of the founders of Molére College in the capital, according to the vicar general of Huelva, Emilio Rodríguez Claudio, who has maintained a relationship with him for many years.

In an interview with Europe Press, the general Vicar emphasized that on Wednesday he felt «great joy» when Prevost was chosen as the new Pope of the Catholic Church, because he is someone with whom «you share» and «whom you love». «He is a bold and approachable person,» he said before adding that «he is the Pope that the Church needs at this moment in history, we must live.»

He also emphasized that «his maternal grandparents were natives of Córdoba» and that the Pope «likes to come to Andalucia.» «He participated in the early morning of Seville, saw everything and enjoyed it, and visited all the communities that the Augustinians have in Andalucia. This morning I received the news that one of the great Paterni was the founder of the School of Huelva.»

Rodríguez Claudio explained that the closest relationship with Leo XIV began when Prevost was his general superior «for twelve years, in two terms, in Rome,» but they knew each other before, as the Pope was stationed in Peru and Vicar General of Argentina. «And there we have the Augustinians of an organization, which is the Augustinians organization in Latin America.»

«We have always had many meetings and we call each other to the religion of the whole area of Central and South America. We have never seen each other. But a more important relationship when they were usually appointed, in which I participated in the provincial chapters of my Augustinian province,» he said.

The vicar emphasized that, in addition, Leo XIV visited the communities in Huelva «two or three times» and that, on those visits, he could «share much more» with him, as he emphasized that on Thursday he received the news that one of his great paternos had been the founder of Molére in Huelva.

«Father Roberto is a deeply simple man. A serious person, but did not put a distance. A deeply responsible person. A good shepherd, a shepherd who was entrusted, from order, from the church, has always been very close to the people and especially very close to those who need someone to speak to them today.

The Vicar General emphasized that «each Pope is the Pope needed at this moment in the history of the Church and the World» and that Leo XIV «will receive and gather many things from the legacy of Pope Francis, but will also contribute to many new and different things.» «And, above all, like all Popes, he will live with great generosity and maintain the heritage of the church. Everyone will contribute with something new and I am sure he will contribute to something new that will help us go through the history of the church and the world we have to live in,» he said.

When asked if the Pope visited Andalucia, Rodríguez Claudio said it is expected «yes» because «this is everyone’s dream,» but this, first of all, «we will have to see little by little as everything is organized and the invitations that reach them.» «I hope you can be with us one day,» he said before adding that he hopes «to make that possible and» go see him before Rome, ask publicly and be able to be with him.»

«But that has many difficulties, many elements of organization. We hope so. We put it in the hands of the Lord and he is the one who tells us if it is so or not,» he concluded.

For his part, the Bishop of Huelva, Santiago Gómez Sierra, emphasized that the election of Leo XIV is «an opportunity to renew our ties with the Holy Father.» «Bonds of unity, charity, peace, and therefore, to be able to continue the pilgrimage under the silence of the Vicar of Christ, the successor of Peter, among us,» as he showed «the gratitude of the Lord for» fulfilling his promise «to» continue giving shepherds, according to his heart.»

«The Church is always a pilgrim in the future city between the persecutions of the world and the consolations of God. Therefore, it will also be for this time. And we hope to count and we already have the Guide of the Holy Father, with his teaching, with his government, especially the Church, which will show us the way and help us help each other, this mission, to continue with the best service of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world in this mission, continue confessing Jesus Christ as Salv.

The episcopate of Huelva already emphasized on Thursday that, as superior in the Order of Saint Augustine, the new pontiff visited the diocese of Huelva twice, «due to his good relationship with the Vicar General, Emilio Rodríguez Claudio.»

FUENTE