March 23, 2013: Pope Francis sent a letter to Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, Superior General
of the Society of Jesus, in response to his letter of congratulations. The two men
have since met. The text of the Pope's letter has been released on Friday in which
the Pope said: 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, continued Pope Francis, 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.
Pope Francis concluded his letter dated 16 March saying: 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.