Pope Leo’s joy at meeting the Augustinians in Paris.

Pope Leo XIV greeted members of the Order of Saint Augustine during his visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Friday, September 25. Upon spotting the Augustinians in the crowd, the pope walked toward them and opened his arms to greet the group.

Father Martin Davakan, the Assistant General of the Order of Saint Augustine, recorded the encounter. The order later shared the video on its Instagram account, describing the interaction as a happy moment with Augustinian brothers and sisters.

The meeting held particular significance because Pope Leo XIV is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. Since his election on May 8, 2025, he has served as the first Augustinian pope in Church history. The visit to the cathedral occurred as the pope presided over Vespers, marking the first time a pope has visited the site following its reconstruction after the 2019 fire.