Remembering Pope Francis: The First Jesuit Pope - What To Know
What happens when the highest office in the Catholic Church is occupied by a man whose life has been shaped by a different set of priorities and traditions? The election of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, marked a seismic shift in the papacy, one that continues to resonate across the globe.
The world, and indeed the Catholic Church, is still coming to terms with the passing of Pope Francis, who died on a Monday at the age of 88. His tenure, marked by humility, a focus on the marginalized, and a willingness to challenge established norms, has left an indelible mark. He was, as many have noted, a "Jesuit Pope" a distinction that carries profound meaning.
The Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits, is a religious order within the Catholic Church, renowned for its emphasis on education, missionary work, and intellectual rigor. Pope Francis's background as a Jesuit deeply influenced his pontificate, coloring his approach to issues of social justice, interfaith dialogue, and the very essence of what it means to be a leader of the world's largest Christian denomination. As the church mourns, we recall with fondness our Jesuit brother, whose pontificate reflected his Jesuit training and Ignatian spirituality.
Jesuits around the world were stunned when one of their own, Jorge Bergoglio, Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected pope on March 13, 2013. The news sent ripples of astonishment and, for many, a sense of profound hope. In a church often perceived as hierarchical and tradition-bound, the election of a Jesuit represented a departure from the familiar. The Jesuit commitment, that he had embraced, never wavered. He was ordained a bishop, but he remained a Jesuit. Though now a pope, he remains a Jesuit. The Jesuit seal is on his papal coat of arms.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | April 21, 2025 (Reported) |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Religious Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
| Education | Universidad del Salvador (Jesuit Institution) in Buenos Aires |
| Ordination to Priesthood | December 13, 1969 |
| Episcopal Ordination | June 27, 1992 |
| Cardinal | Appointed February 21, 2001 |
| Elected Pope | March 13, 2013 |
| Pontificate | March 13, 2013 April 21, 2025 (Reported) |
| Key Initiatives | Emphasis on social justice, environmental protection, dialogue with other faiths, and reform of the Vatican |
| Notable Actions | Visiting refugees, advocating for migrants, reforming Vatican finances, and promoting a more inclusive Church. |
| Legacy | A shift in the Church's focus towards the peripheries, a commitment to the poor, and a more pastoral approach. |
| Reference | Vatican Official Biography |
The pontificate of Pope Francis was marked by a palpable shift in tone. His empathetic approach could be seen in his commitment to serving the poor and advocating for migrants and refugees, priorities which he made hallmarks of his ministry. He met refugees at Centro Astallis soup kitchen in Rome in 2013. And indeed, Pope Francis went to the peripheries time after time.
One of his most striking early acts was his first official trip outside of Rome, to the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, a common entry point to Europe for migrants. There, he prayed and advocated for those who had left their homes and risked their lives. This focus on the marginalized was a defining characteristic. Pope Francis attended Universidad del Salvador, a Jesuit institution in Buenos Aires. His election represented a decisive break from the eurocentric tradition of the papacy, signaling a shift toward a church that sought to be more globally relevant.
The impact of his Jesuit training extended far beyond his public pronouncements. In the Jesuit tradition, discernment means prayerfully seeking the best path forward. This process of careful consideration, rooted in Ignatian spirituality, guided his decisions and informed his leadership style. It was a marked contrast to the more top-down, legalistic approach that had, at times, characterized the papacy.
Pope Francis has reflected on the deep wounds the Argentine dictatorship caused to two Jesuit priests the government abducted and tortured in the. He brought an outsider's sensibility. Jesuit priests are explicitly discouraged from becoming bishops, much less pope, and that outsiders sensibility helps to explain Francis almost breezy willingness to dispense with centuries of protocol.
The Jesuit publication La Civilt Cattolica publishes a transcript of the dialogue between Pope Francis and the Jesuits of Portugal during the pontiff's visit to Lisbon for WYD 2023. In the conversation, the Holy Father addresses a range of topics, sharing insights on the Church's challenges and his vision for inclusivity, doctrinal. He celebrated mass with 300 of his Jesuit confreres in thanksgiving for the canonization of. His funeral is scheduled for April 26, following a period of mourning and reflection on his.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio 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. He was ordained a bishop, but he remained a Jesuit. Though now a pope, he remains a Jesuit. The Jesuit seal is on his papal coat of arms. Billions are mourning Pope Francis, who died on April 21, and as people reflect of his life's work as the first Jesuit pope of the catholic church, his funeral has been set for April 26.
The Society of Jesus has its own distinct character. Jesuit priests are explicitly discouraged from becoming bishops, much less pope. This is not just about the practicalities of governance; it reflects a core Jesuit principle: to serve the Church from the margins, to work at the "peripheries," where the needs are often greatest. This ethos profoundly shaped his papacy. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, washes the feet of patients in a shelter for drug users in March, 2008.
The Jesuit commitment to the poor, the marginalized, and those on the "peripheries" of society was evident throughout his ministry, both before and after his elevation to the papacy. Pope Francis, who died Monday at 88, was the first pope of the Catholic Church from the Americas, and the first Jesuit pope. His election and subsequent actions represented a challenge to the status quo.
As the church mourns the passing of Pope Francis, we recall with fondness our Jesuit brother, whose pontificate reflected his Jesuit training and Ignatian spirituality. The pope celebrated mass with 300 of his Jesuit confreres in thanksgiving for the canonization of. More than 200,000 people gathered in St. Peters Square April 26 to.
In the democratic republic of congo in February 2022, where he urged them to commit wholeheartedly to their mission with both compassion and courage, Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ, has compiled 18 of these conversations in his book titled be tender, be courageous. Today in the New York Times, Pope Francis praised the value of joy, humor and laughter, and noted jokes about and told by Jesuits are in a class of their own. Of the 135 cardinal electors set to meet in the next conclave to elect Pope Francis successor, five are Jesuits, cosacchi said.
The purpose was to express the commitment of the Jesuit schools to support and promote the new global compact of education launched by Pope Francis. We also presented the pope with a copy of the document Jesuit schools: A living tradition in the 21st century, and a special edition of the Educate Magis global map of the schools.
