Pope Francis receives Jesuit Superior General

(March 20, 2013) Jesuit Superior General Fr. Adolfo Nicolas was received by Pope Francis on Tuesday evening at St. Martha’s Residence in Vatican City, where he is temporarily staying, until renovation of his apartment in the Apostolic Palace is complete.
Fr. Nicolas said on the personal invitation of Pope Francis, he went at the appointed time to St. Martha’s Residence, where the Pope received him warmly at the entrance”. He added that on the request of the Pope, photos were also taken.
Fr.Nicolas said he expressed his excuses for not knowing the protocol of addressing a pontiff, and was told by Pope Francis not to worry and to address him as he would another Jesuit and forget about titles like “Your Holiness” or Holy Father.
The Jesuit Superior General said “I offered the services of the Society of Jesus to Pope Francis and also extended an invitation to visit the Curia and have lunch with the Jesuits, for which Pope expressed gratitude and accepted the invitation.”
Fr. Nicolas said there was full unity of spirit on several topics they discussed during their meeting and he is convinced that they will work very well together in the service of the Church.
Fr. Nicolas said at the end of their encounter, Pope Francis helped him put on his coat, embraced him and saw him to the door. “I left St. Martha Residence with the belief that it will be worth to cooperate fully with him in the Lord's vineyard” the Jesuit Superior added.