The day when the new Pope Leo XIV visited Los Olivos College in Malaga

American Robert Prevost has been appointed as the successor to Francis at the helm of the Catholic Church since this Thursday. The new Pope Leo XIV visited Málaga 18 years ago. It was in April 2007 when he visited the Colegio de los Olivos and the Augustinian community in Málaga as part of a tour across five continents in his capacity as the General Prior of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA).

It was a "brief but substantial" visit, according to the note, accompanied by a photograph -taken in the chapel of Los Olivos- that was published in the school's annual report for the 2006-2007 academic year. "He spoke to us about the situation of the Augustinians around the world and encouraged us to continue with enthusiasm and joy in our school activities and collaboration with the Church of Málaga, inviting us to always improve in those aspects characteristic of our condition as Augustinian religious," the publication added.

This visit is also remembered by the current prior of the Augustinians in Málaga, Father Agustín Herrero, who explained to this newspaper that he met the new Pope on several occasions when Prevost was in charge of the order.

"He is a magnificent shepherd; above all, he is a shepherd who throughout his career has always stood by the people and the needy. In that sense, he is a continuator of the legacy of Pope Francis," Herrero highlighted.

The prior of the Augustinian community in Málaga also emphasized that he is "a good manager" and a person who "knows how to listen to people, when you are with him you feel heard." "I predict a magnificent pontificate," he stressed.

Agustín Herrero expressed his "joy and pride" in the fact that for the first time in history a Pope has been chosen from the Order of Saint Augustine.