On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV’s first ever book of his writings before he became pope was published in English, a collection of his  homilies, messages and addresses from his 12 years as the head of the Augustinian Order.

“Freedom Under Grace: Reflections on the Spiritual Tradition That Formed Me” was published in the U.S. by Image Books, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group.

The book will also be published in the British Commonwealth with Cornerstone, a division of Penguin Random House UK.

Leo, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, was Prior General of the Augustinians between 2001 and 2013, and the book helps chart the development of his thought during that period.

The writings — which also include letters and were selected by Leo himself — were first published in Italian by Vatican Publishing House (LEV) under the title Liberi sotto la Grazia.

His writings draw deeply on the teachings of St. Augustine.

“It’s our great privilege to present this inspiring book to readers. Each chapter is a window into the spiritual depth and vision of the man who would eventually become Pope Leo, with an urgent message of love and service to address the challenges of the world today,” said Campbell Wharton, senior vice president and publisher of Penguin Random House Christian.

“It’s a book for any Catholic, but also any Christian or spiritual seeker looking for guidance and hope for living a life that transforms the world,” he added.

In the foreword of the book, Father Joseph L. Farrell, current head of the Augustinian Order, highlights recurring themes in Leo’s words, including “unity, … the call to renewal and the call to continue making progress on the path of the spiritual life.”

Insight into Leo’s mind

Leo’s homily to the General Chapter of Augustinians in 2001 emphasizes the connection between loving God and loving one another.

“We are called to know ourselves that we might know God, and in encountering God, we are also led to deep love of God and our neighbor,” Leo writes.

Later, in a speech in Slovakia, he holds up the example of St. Augustine. “Saint Augustine, image of this generosity in giving his heart for others, who gave so much to the Church, promoting the values of unity and truth — always on the basis of charity, of love,” writes Leo.

He also gives an outline of how a Christian can seek to emulate the great saint.

“Respect for the human person and his or her dignity, sensitivity to what is truly human, dialogue with diverse cultures, the acceptance of human values and legitimate autonomy, living in tune with the deepest longings of humanity – all these are indicators of what must be the spirituality of persons of faith who seek to imitate Augustine’s style of life,” says the pontiff.

The collection centers on the belief that has proven a lodestar for Leo’s ministry. “Man is not defined by what he possesses or what he knows, but rather by what he loves,” he writes.

The audiobook version will feature Emmy award-winning comedian and devout Catholic Stephen Colbert reading some of Leo’s homilies and addresses, and Scott Brick, a Grammy nominee, will narrate the main text.

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