Pope Francis shows his desire for the Jesuit Pedro Arrupe to be canonized

During his private meeting with priests of the Society of Jesus in Singapore, Pope Francis expressed his desire to achieve the beatification and canonization of the Spanish Jesuit Pedro Arrupe.

This was announced to Vatican News Father Antonio Spadaro, undersecretary of the Dicastery for Culture and member of the papal delegation on this trip through Asia and Oceania.

A total of 25 Jesuits had the opportunity to speak with the Holy Father yesterday and ask him their questions during a meeting that lasted about an hour at the San Francisco Javier retreat center, the Pontiff’s residence during his stay in Singapore.

“There were some young people, including one recently ordained, and others older, some even sick. The Pope was very tender with them,” said the Jesuit Spadaro.

He also highlighted that it was a cordial and fraternal meeting, in an “intimate and familiar” atmosphere, typical of these meetings where the Holy Father usually appears happy and relaxed.

The Holy Father also stressed that faith “must enter into human challenges” and highlighted the importance of prayer, citing Asia as a “key continent.”

Later he encouraged them to “always face the challenges posed by society with a spirit of prayer following the model of Father Pedro Arrupe.”

This Jesuit priest of Spanish origin was Superior General of the Company from 1965 to 1983, proclaimed Servant of God and whose cause for beatification is underway.

“Several times Pope Francis has spoken about the figure of this great Father General and has declared that he is very close to him and eager to achieve this beatification and canonization,” said the Vatican authority.

The Pontiff also spoke with the Jesuits about vocations to the priesthood and encouraged them to “lower the demands,” since many young people feel the vocation but are “afraid of formation.”

Likewise, the Holy Father also gave the example of Matteo Ricci, the “great Jesuit apostle of China” and a “great reference” for the members of the Society.

At the end of the meeting, one of the priests approached Pope Francis with several bags containing numerous petitions written by the country’s faithful. The Holy Father placed his hand on them and prayed in silence.