When Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, history was made in several remarkable ways. Pope Francis became the first pope from the Americas, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, the first non-European pope in over a millennium, and notably, the first Jesuit pope. His identity as a Jesuit has deeply shaped his papacy and its direction, bringing new energy and significant shifts to the Catholic Church.

But what does it mean that Pope Francis is a Jesuit, and why is this so significant? To understand, we must delve into the history and ethos of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), explore the distinctive characteristics of Pope Francis’s leadership, and examine how his Jesuit identity continues to influence global Catholicism.

The Jesuit Order: A Brief Background

The Society of Jesus was founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius of Loyola, a former Spanish soldier who experienced a profound spiritual awakening during a long period of convalescence. Ignatius envisioned a new kind of religious order, one that combined rigorous education, missionary zeal, and a deep commitment to spiritual discernment.

Jesuits are known for their emphasis on education, intellectual rigor, social justice, and missionary work. They take a special vow of obedience to the pope, a unique characteristic among Catholic religious orders. Throughout history, Jesuits have often been at the forefront of scientific inquiry, educational development, and intercultural dialogue. They have also been controversial at times, seen as too politically involved or too progressive.

Before Pope Francis, no Jesuit had ever ascended to the papacy. Part of this was intentional; Jesuits typically avoided seeking high ecclesiastical offices, preferring to focus on their missions and scholarly work. The idea of a Jesuit becoming pope would have been unthinkable even a century ago.

A Humble Beginning

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio entered the Society of Jesus in 1958. He was ordained a priest in 1969 and quickly rose through Jesuit leadership ranks, eventually becoming the provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina at a relatively young age. His time as provincial was marked by the political turmoil of Argentina’s “Dirty War” (1976–1983), during which thousands of citizens were kidnapped, tortured, and killed by the military dictatorship.

Bergoglio’s leadership during this time has been scrutinized and sometimes criticized, but it also demonstrated his core qualities: a commitment to humility, service, and a focus on the poor and marginalized. Later, he became Archbishop of Buenos Aires, living a simple life by refusing the archbishop’s palace and preferring public transportation to chauffeured cars.

These habits of humility, service, and closeness to the people would eventually define his papacy.

The Jesuit Spirit in Francis’s Papacy

From his very first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, it was clear that Pope Francis would be different. Dressed simply, without the traditional ermine-trimmed red cape, he asked the crowd to pray for him before giving them his blessing.

Several characteristics of Jesuit spirituality can be seen in Francis’s approach:

1. Discernment and Listening

Jesuits are trained extensively in discernment — a spiritual process of seeking God’s will through prayer, reflection, and attention to inner movements of the heart. Francis frequently speaks about the importance of discernment in personal life, Church leadership, and decision-making processes. His Synod on Synodality, inviting Catholics worldwide to reflect and share their thoughts on the future of the Church, is a profound embodiment of Ignatian discernment on a massive scale.

2. A Church for the Poor

The Jesuits have long been associated with serving marginalized communities, and Pope Francis has made this a defining priority. From choosing the name “Francis” after St. Francis of Assisi — symbolizing humility and concern for the poor — to consistently emphasizing the “peripheries” of society, he advocates for a Church that is not self-referential but goes out to serve those in need. His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ ties concern for the environment with social justice, reminding the world that the poor are the most affected by climate change.

3. Intellectual Openness

While Pope Francis does not always fit into the “intellectual” mold some associate with Jesuits, he embodies the order’s spirit of openness and engagement with the world. His approach to complicated issues like divorce, homosexuality, migration, and interfaith dialogue is marked by a willingness to engage rather than condemn. His famous phrase, “Who am I to judge?” regarding gay priests, reflects a pastoral approach focused on accompaniment rather than doctrinal rigidity.

4. A Missionary Zeal

Ignatius intended Jesuits to be “men on mission,” and Pope Francis calls the Church to a permanent state of mission. He criticizes “spiritual worldliness” — a Church too focused on internal power structures — and calls instead for pastors who “smell like their sheep.” His vision is of a dynamic, outward-looking Church that witnesses to the Gospel through service and joy.

Challenges Faced as a Jesuit Pope

Being a Jesuit pope also comes with unique challenges. Jesuits traditionally resist seeking positions of authority, and Pope Francis has had to balance humility with the immense administrative power of the papacy.

Furthermore, his more progressive stances have drawn significant opposition, especially from conservative quarters within the Church. Some critics argue that his openness to dialogue risks diluting Catholic teachings, while others claim he has not gone far enough in reforming structures of abuse and clericalism.

His efforts at curial reform (changing the way the Vatican bureaucracy functions) have been slow and complicated. His vision of synodality — shared governance between bishops, clergy, and laity — challenges centuries of hierarchical tradition.

Despite these hurdles, he remains committed to pushing the Church toward a future that embodies the Jesuit values of discernment, justice, and mission.

A Global Pope

Another aspect of Pope Francis’s Jesuit identity is his global vision. The Jesuits were among the first missionaries to engage deeply with cultures around the world — from Matteo Ricci’s work in China to Francis Xavier’s journeys to India and Japan. This global openness is mirrored in Francis’s papacy.

He consistently highlights the concerns of the Global South, where Catholicism is growing most rapidly. He prioritizes issues like migration, economic inequality, and environmental destruction, which disproportionately affect poorer countries.

Pope Francis has also strengthened relationships with other Christian denominations and with other religions, including Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. His 2019 joint declaration with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi, calling for human fraternity and interreligious cooperation, stands as a landmark achievement.

Reform of Jesuit Ideals into Practice

Pope Francis’s reform efforts reflect not just administrative changes but a deeper spiritual renewal modeled after Jesuit practices:

• Curia Reform: He emphasizes service over privilege among Vatican officials.
• Financial Transparency: Measures have been introduced to address corruption and promote stewardship.
• Pastoral Outreach: Synods on youth, the Amazon, and the family have attempted to listen to the lived experiences of Catholics worldwide.
• Clerical Abuse Crisis: Francis has taken steps to address sexual abuse within the Church, although critics argue that more decisive actions are still needed.

Each of these reflects Jesuit values: humility, service, justice, and attentiveness to the needs of the time.

Legacy and the Future

Pope Francis’s legacy will not be measured solely by institutional reforms or political stances but by how he has reoriented the Church toward the margins.

He has modeled a spirituality that is less about power and perfection and more about accompaniment and mercy. His teachings and actions invite Catholics to a more dynamic and missionary Christianity — not one locked in the past, but one actively engaging with the complex realities of the modern world.

While future popes may or may not continue on the exact path Francis has charted, his example will leave an enduring mark on Catholic imagination. His Jesuit roots have helped him cast a vision of the Church that is spiritually discerning, globally engaged, intellectually open, and preferentially committed to the poor.

The significance of Pope Francis being the first Jesuit pope cannot be overstated. His Jesuit identity has profoundly shaped his priorities, style, and vision for the Catholic Church. Through his emphasis on humility, discernment, social justice, missionary outreach, and global dialogue, he brings the best of Jesuit spirituality to bear on the contemporary challenges facing the Church and the world.

In many ways, Pope Francis embodies St. Ignatius’s hope for Jesuits: not to seek power for its own sake, but to labor for the greater glory of God (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam) by meeting people where they are, in the messy, beautiful, complicated realities of everyday life.

As the Church continues to navigate an increasingly complex world, the legacy of the first Jesuit pope offers a path marked by courage, compassion, and hope.