Pope Leo XIV visits Augustinian nuns he has known for years \u201cA moment of great familiarity\u201d is how Abbess Maria Cristina Daguati of the Augustinian convent in Montefalco, Italy, described Pope Leo XIV\u2019s visit on Thursday. After visiting the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi and meeting with the Italian bishops on Nov. 20, the pope traveled to the Italian city of Montefalco to celebrate Mass at the monastery of the Augustinian nuns, erected in the 13th century and one of the oldest and most significant spiritual centers in the Umbria region. After meeting with the Italian bishops in Assisi, Pope Leo XIV traveled to the Augustinian monastery of St. Clare of Montefalco, where he wished to spend some time with the cloistered nuns. The Holy Father spoke informally with the community, celebrated Mass, and shared lunch with the nuns. The pope arrived by helicopter in the city, known for its medieval architecture, and landed in the sports field, where he was greeted by Mayor Alfredo Gentili and Deputy Mayor Daniele Morici. At the gates of the monastery \u2014 where 13 nuns currently live \u2014 residents of this small region of Perugia gathered, awaiting his arrival with great anticipation. \u201cWe have known him for years; it was a moment of familiarity. He has a very peaceful personality,\u201d Mother Maria Cristina explained in a statement to Vatican News. Leo XIV had already been to the convent when he served as superior of the Order of St. Augustine, and on Nov. 20, he returned as pope, becoming the first pontiff to do so. This convent is intrinsically linked to the figure of St. Clare of Montefalco (1268\u20131308), also known as St. Clare of the Cross, an Augustinian mystic whose contemplative life left a profound mark on the spiritual tradition of the Catholic Church. \u201cIt\u2019s a great friendship, because obviously we\u2019ve known him for many years, so I would say that everything unfolded in an atmosphere of great familiarity,\u201d the abbess said. The pope spoke with the Augustinian nuns, then celebrated Mass and shared lunch with them. For the nuns, the day was characterized by \u201cgreat simplicity\u201d spent with \u201ca disarmed and disarming man\u201d with a personality that sets you at ease. \u201cPope Leo XIV brings with him a great atmosphere of prayer. So it wasn\u2019t that he inconvenienced us too much; it was truly beautiful,\u201d Daguati added. Before lunch, the pope celebrated Mass in the convent church, built in the 17th century and designed by the Peruvian architect Valentino Martelli. Before returning to the Vatican, the nuns presented the pope with a 2026 calendar titled \u201cToward an Unarmed and Disarming Peace,\u201d featuring texts from his speeches and homilies as well as from St. Augustine. This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA\u2019s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Almudena Mart\u00ednez-Bordi\u00fa Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Pope Francis: \u2018Tell Jesus everything\u2019 Vatican News: Priest Martyred during WWII to be Beatified and Pope Francis’ visit to Fatima 2023 Second day of mourning for Pope Francis: Full text of homily by Cardinal Parolin Praising pro-life efforts, Pope Francis addresses pilgrims from hospital Cardinal George Pell remembers Pope Benedict XVI Pope Francis: Cultivate \u2018the inner life\u2019 rather than appearance and image<\/p>\n