Pope Leo XIV’s early writings as a friar and prior general of the Augustinians are set to be released in September 2026, the Vatican announced this week.
According to Vatican News, the writings will be published in the volume Freedom Under Grace: Reflections on the Spiritual Tradition That Formed Me. The volume will include homilies, speeches, and letters from then-Father Robert Prevost.
It was originally published in Italian on May 6 by the Vatican Publishing House under the title Liberi sotto la Grazia. The English edition will be published by Image Books, a division of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group.
Freedom Under Grace offers insights into Leo’s Augustinian spirituality and his preoccupation with themes such as unity, servant leadership, social justice, and constant spiritual renewal. Many of these addresses were delivered during his extensive travels to support Augustinian communities around the world.
At a press conference for the publication of the Italian edition on May 6, Father Joseph Farrell, O.S.A., prior general of the Augustinians and a former colleague of Prevost, spoke to EWTN News about his hopes for the book.
“It is a great opportunity to share a person who led the order of Saint Augustine for 12 years, who now serves as the Successor of Saint Peter,” Farrell told EWTN News.
“I hope that what we are able to discover in his writings is the foundation he has in the teachings of St. Augustine — his own formation, which he shared with us Augustinians and is now ready to share with the world.”