In March 2013, Pope Francis sent a letter to Father Adolfo Nicolás, leader of the Society of Jesus, expressing his appreciation for the support offered following his election. The text highlighted unconditional service to the Church and the Ignatian charism. This epistolary exchange, occurring just days after the papal appointment, strengthened the ties between the new Pontiff and the Jesuit order.
The Meaning of the Jesuit Pope’s Letter to the Society of Jesus
During the initial days following his election, Pope Francis conveyed a letter to the then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Father Adolfo Nicolás.
Dated March 16, 2013, the text responded to the initial message Nicolás had sent upon the announcement of the first Jesuit’s election as Supreme Pontiff. This epistolary exchange marked a symbolic milestone in the relationship between the new Vicar of Christ and the order to which he had belonged before his episcopal ordination.
A Historic Moment for the Church
The election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope represented a change in the history of the Catholic Church. It was the first Pontiff of Latin American origin and the first belonging to the Society of Jesus, a congregation recognized for its emphasis on education, social justice, and intercultural dialogue.
That week, global attention focused on the signs that the new Church leader would offer: his closeness, simplicity, and desire to reform ecclesial structures were already evident in his interactions with the faithful and representatives of various religious traditions.
The Full Content of the Letter
In the letter addressed to Father Adolfo Nicolás, Pope Francis expressed his feelings in a close and pastoral tone. The original text of the letter stated:
“Dear Father Nicolás
With great joy, I have received the kind letter that, on the occasion of my election to the See of St. Peter, you have kindly sent me, in your own name and that of the Society of Jesus, in which your prayers for my person and apostolic ministry are shared, as well as your full willingness to continue serving the Church and the Vicar of Christ unconditionally, according to the precept of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
I cordially thank you for this show of appreciation and closeness, to which I responded gladly, asking the Lord to illuminate and accompany all Jesuits, so that, faithful to the received charism and following in the footsteps of the saints of our beloved Order, they may be with pastoral action, but above all, with the witness of a life entirely devoted to the service of the Church, the Bride of Christ, evangelical ferment in the world, tirelessly seeking the glory of God and the good of souls.
With these feelings, I asked 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 pledge of abundant divine favors, I imparted with particular affection the Apostolic Blessing, which I extended to all those who cooperate with the Society of Jesus in their activities, benefit from their works of good, and participate in their spirituality.”
A Message That Inspired the Order
The papal response was then interpreted as a symbol of the decisive role the Society of Jesus would play in the new stage of the Church.
Francis, by emphasizing the “unconditional service” to the Vicar of Christ and full fidelity to the Ignatian charism, confirmed the spiritual and pastoral roots that nourished his own ministry. This gesture also reinforced the historical trajectory of the Jesuits, characterized by dedication to the evangelizing mission, educational innovation, and closeness to the most needy.
Global Echoes and Context
In those days, public opinion recorded references to ancient prophecies—such as the so-called “Black Pope” attributed to St. Malachy or speculations inspired by Nostradamus—but reality prevailed with the arrival of a Pontiff willing to emphasize mercy, simplicity, and commitment to social justice.
The letter, when made public, confirmed the Pope’s willingness to maintain a fluid dialogue with religious orders and to continue the Ignatian legacy in the daily life of the Church.
A Shared Path Toward the Future
In the end, Pope Francis asked for the Jesuits’ prayers and their intercession before the Virgin Mary.
This request sealed the message with an air of spiritual reciprocity. The letter was not merely a procedural act but a reminder of the common origin and shared vision between the Vicar of Christ and one of the most influential communities in the Catholic world.
For more information, the historical context of the papal election can be consulted at Vatican News and the contemporary mission of the Society of Jesus is documented at Jesuits Global.
