Jesuit priest on what a Jesuit Pope can bring to the papacy

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is the first Jesuit Pope in history but how do other Jesuits feel about having one of their brothers as head of the Catholic Church? Father James Martin is a U.S. Jesuit priest and author of the book “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything”. He talked to Susy Hodges about Pope Francis’ pontificate so far.
Listen to the extended interview with Father James Martin:
As a fellow Jesuit, Father James Martin says he is “absolutely delighted… and very proud” about the election of Pope Francis who is the first Jesuit Pope in history. “I think he’s been teaching us in both words and deeds, the way that Jesus did, talking about tenderness in his first homily and also showing a lot of tenderness in his actions with people.”
Asked what he believes a Jesuit Pope can bring to the post, Father Martin points to the Society of Jesus’ very rich spiritual patrimony but says he believes the most important contribution that Pope Francis as a Jesuit can bring to the post is his “deep personal relationship with Jesus”.
The author of many books, Father Martin has written about the importance of having a sense of humour and being joyful as a Christian and says these characteristics were evident right from the very first appearance of Pope Francis on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. He points to the new Pope’s “demeanour, his laughter, his smiles”…. saying “joy just radiates from him”.