Why St. Thomas of Villanova was called the “Father of the Poor”

Pope Leo XIV described St. Thomas of Villanova as the Father of the Poor during an address to the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. The Pope noted that an Augustinian friar and bishop, the saint devoted his life to serving those in need.

The Pope shared a personal connection to the saint, noting that he belongs to the same religious order, attended Villanova University, and wears a relic of St. Thomas in his pectoral cross. A parish church located outside of Rome is named after the 15th-century saint.