The superior of the Jesuits about Pope Francis: he did not seek to please everyone

Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, superior general of the Society of Jesus, reflected on the first Jesuit Pope in history during a press conference this Thursday, stating that Francisco “did not seek to please everyone” or measured by a popularity index.

“Once he chose to be a disciple of Jesus, his deep motivation in life was to put into practice the will of God,” said Fr. Sosa, describing the late Pontiff as “a man of prayer, who asked for prayers to make decisions according to the will of God.”

During the press conference, held in the General Curia of the Jesuits in Rome, Fr. Sosa also answered a question about the qualities that the next Pope must have. “Without a doubt, we are looking for another man of God,” he said.

“And after that, for me, it is important to have a Pope with a universal vision,” he added, making a difference with what he called an “international vision.”

The Jesuit superior defended Francisco from the accusations of causing controversy – as with Confidence in supplicatingVatican’s statement about blessings to same -sex couples – or not having responded properly in some areas, stating that it was not the origin of the problems in the church, but that it inherited existing difficulties.

“Pope Francis helped put positions on the table” and encouraged dialogue, he said, stressing that the deceased pontiff wanted to listen to everyone.

“I do not think of Pope Francis as a reformer. I see him as someone who continued the reform that the Church has always carried out,” Sosa added.

On Francisco’s history in relation to abuse, Fr. Sosa said that the Pope “always recognized his limitations, his mistakes and his slowness” to respond to cases. “It’s not about giving Pope Francis a medal or putting a note, but to learn from possible criticisms and mistakes.”

“With regard to abuse cases, I believe that the Church is not in the same place where it was when Pope Francis was chosen. That is undoubted. It has not been a straight path … but the Church has advanced in that direction,” he added.

According to the superior general, Francisco’s most urgent legacy will be his call to peace: “I think Pope Francis has shouted at all times, on every occasion, for peace.”

“The world needs peace, and we build peace. Peace means to put aside any other priority other than the person and dignity of the person. And peace means justice with the poor. I think that constant prayer and the constant clamor for the peace of Pope Francis is a very important message for today,” added Fr. Sosa.

Pope Francis, who entered the company of Jesus in 1958, was the first Jesuit to reach the papacy. During his international trips, he always spent time to meet with the local Jesuits of the countries he visited. He also met with the Jesuits in Rome during the 36th General Congregation on October 24, 2016.

“He established a very fraternal relationship with the Jesuits,” said Fr. Sosa on April 24. “We will end this period of Pope Francis thanks to the Lord.”

Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA.