ROME — Pope Leo XIV’s Augustinian religious order elected a new prior general Tuesday, tapping another American to lead during the pontificate of history’s first American pope.

The Rev. Joseph Farrell, 62, had been vicar general of the international order and the general assistant for the North American branch. He takes over from the Rev. Alejandro Moral Antón, a close friend of Leo’s whose second, six-year term as superior ended.

Farrell was elected the 98th prior general during the Augustinians' general assembly, which has been under way this month at its headquarters just outside the Vatican. Leo, who had led the Augustinians for two consecutive terms from 2001-2013, opened the proceedings by celebrating a special Mass for his confreres on Sept. 1 and urging them to work for unity.

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