Pope Francis & The Jesuits: News & Insights [Updated]
Denver newsroom, May 10, 2023 / 11:15 am.
Could the election of a Jesuit to the papacy truly redefine the Catholic Church? Pope Francis, the first Jesuit to hold the highest office in the Church's history, has indeed sparked a period of profound transformation. His pontificate, characterized by an emphasis on compassion, inclusivity, and a commitment to the marginalized, has challenged long-held traditions and opened up new avenues for dialogue and reform. This radical departure from the norm, however, was not without its internal ironies.
The echoes of his Jesuit training and Ignatian spirituality are everywhere. Pope Francis, as the church mourns his passing, is remembered with fondness as a Jesuit brother. The world was stunned when Jorge Bergoglio, Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected Pope on March 13, 2013. He had attended Universidad del Salvador, a Jesuit institution in Buenos Aires. He embodied the principles of the Society of Jesus, and it was clear the church was about to take a different course.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | April 21, 2025 (Easter Monday) |
| Education | Universidad del Salvador (Jesuit institution, Buenos Aires), University of Alcal de Henares (Spain) |
| Religious Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
| Ordination | Ordained as a priest in 1969 |
| Episcopal Consecration | Titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (1992) |
| Cardinalate | Created Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001 |
| Papal Election | Elected Pope on March 13, 2013 |
| Papal Name | Francis |
| Key Initiatives | Emphasis on mercy, social justice, environmental protection, and interreligious dialogue |
| Notable Writings | Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Laudato Si' (On Care for Our Common Home), Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship) |
| Legacy | First Jesuit Pope; signaled a shift toward a more globally-focused Church, emphasized the importance of reaching out to the peripheries |
| Reference | Vatican Website |
The Society of Jesus, with its 15,000 priests, brothers, and novices spread across 110 nations, surely didn't expect one of their own to ever reach the highest position in the Catholic Church. And yet, here we are. His election represented a break from the Eurocentric tradition of the papacy, signaling a shift toward a church that sought to be more globally inclusive. The world knew a Jesuit would never, ever be pope right? But, in fairness, thats what most Jesuits thought too.
In the New York Times, Pope Francis praised the value of joy, humor, and laughter, noting that "jokes about and told by Jesuits are in a class of their own. One can only imagine the wit of a man so profoundly formed by the Ignatian tradition. Here are some of the Popes favorite jokes, if you are lucky enough to know them.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, washing the feet of patients in a shelter for drug users in March 2008, was a powerful image of service. The Jesuit publication La Civilt Cattolica published a transcript of a dialogue between Pope Francis and the Jesuits of Portugal during his visit to Lisbon for World Youth Day 2023. The Holy Father addressed a range of topics, sharing insights on the Church's challenges and his vision for inclusivity.
The "deep wounds" inflicted on two Jesuit priests by the Argentine dictatorship are something that Pope Francis has reflected upon. This history informs his understanding of suffering and his commitment to social justice. The memory of those persecuted, a part of his own religious order, shaped his pontificate.
His first official trip outside of Rome as Pope was to visit the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, a common entry point to Europe for migrants. This was a clear sign of solidarity with those who had left their homes and risked their lives to find a better future. And, indeed, Pope Francis went to the peripheries time after time. He met refugees at Centro Astallis soup kitchen in Rome in 2013 (Jesuit Refugee Service).
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis was the first Jesuit Pope, the first from Latin America, and the first to take the name of St. Francis. This choice of name itself spoke volumes about his priorities, reflecting a commitment to poverty, simplicity, and care for creation. As the first Jesuit pope, Francis was trained in a faith that does justice and a spirituality that seeks to find God in all things. Pope Francis met with Jesuits in Hungary at the Apostolic Nunciature in Budapest on April 29, 2023.
After his 1969 ordination, Pope Francis continued his training between 1970 and 1971 at the University of Alcal de Henares, Spain. Back in Argentina, he was Novice Master at Villa Barilari, San Miguel; Professor at the Faculty of Theology of San Miguel; Consultor to the Province of the Society of Jesus and also Rector of the Colegio Mximo of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology. His background gave him unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the Church. On his foreign trips, the Pope usually responds to questions from local Jesuits, and a transcript is often made available.
In January, Father Adolfo Nicols, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, and Pope Francis, also a Jesuit, were seen together before celebrating mass at the Church of the Ges in Rome. With the seal of the Society of Jesus on his vestments, Pope Francis celebrated mass at the Jesuit church of the Ges in Rome. The mass was celebrated on the feast of the Most Holy. After decades of practicing Jesuit spirituality, Francis has now spent 10 years as pope applying those practices to a much larger audience, reflecting on the deeper roots of brokenness in the world.
The Society of Jesus has been deeply impacted by his death. Father General Arturo Sosa invites prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis and addresses a letter to the whole Society of Jesus.
The Jesuits take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The daily beast has a pretty good explainer up on the Jesuits, which you can peruse for more details.
