Letter of Pope Francis to Superior General of the Jesuits
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis sent a letter to Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, Superior General
of the Society of Jesus, in response to Fr. Adolfo's letter of congratulations. The
two men have since met. The text of the Pope's letter has been released, and is given
below:
Full text of the letter of Pope Francis to the Superior General
of the Society of Jesus
Dear Father Nicolás, I received with great joy
the kind letter you sent me, in your name and that of the Society of Jesus, on the
occasion of my election to the See of Peter, in which you assure me of your prayers
for me and my apostolic ministry as well as your full disposition to continue serving
- unconditionally - the Church and the Vicar of Christ according to the teachings
of St. Ignatius Loyola. My heartfelt thanks for this sign of affection and closeness,
which I am happy to reciprocate, asking the Lord to illuminate and accompany all Jesuits,
so that faithful to the charism received and following in the footsteps of the saints
of our beloved Order, they may be evangelical leaven in the world in their pastoral
action, but above all in the witness of a life totally dedicated to the service of
the Church, the Spouse of Christ, seeking unceasingly the glory of God and the good
of souls. With these sentiments, I ask all Jesuits to pray for me and to entrust
me to the loving protection of the Virgin Mary, our Mother in heaven, while as a sign
of God's abundant graces, I give you the Apostolic Blessing with special affection,
which I also extend to all those who cooperate with the Society of Jesus in her activities,
those who benefit from her good deeds and participate in her spirituality. Francis Vatican,
16 March 2013