Society of Jesus votes in Venezuelan leader

Arturo Sosa Abascal, new head of the Jesuits

 ROME -- A so-called “black pope” -- Arturo Sosa Abascal, aged 67, from Venezuela -- has been elected as the new head of the Jesuits, following four days of meetings and consultations between the 212 Jesuit voters, the Jesuit order said.

The “black pope” is the first non-European and first Latin-American to be elected by the Jesuit conclave, made up of 212 voters from 66 countries, representing the 16,740 Jesuits around the world, who came together in Rome’s Borgo Santo Spirito for the election process.

 This new Superior General of the Society of Jesus, the 30th successor of Saint Ignazio of Loyola, was elected just before midday Friday, and before the result was announced to the world, it was first communicated to Pope Francis.

 This is a historical election as, for the first time since the foundation of this Jesuit Society in 1540, its leader has been elected during the reign of a Jesuit pope, Francis, who has participated as a voter in two previous General Congregations.

 Fr. Sosa was born in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, Nov. 22, 1948. He was the adviser to the General Father, and General delegate for the Society of Jesus’s interprovincial houses and works in Rome. He attained a PhD in political sciences at Venezuela’s Universidad Central.

 “I feel that I will need a lot of help -- now begins a great challenge,” said Fr. Sosa on the Vatican Radio straight after the election.

 “I have faith in my companions who are so able. I hope also that the Congregation will push us forward with a good working group as well as very precise orientations in order to be able to move forward -- this is not work for one person, it is work for the whole body of the Society. I will do my best. I am very surprised and very grateful to the Lord. I pray for all,” concluded the Venezuelan Jesuit leader.

 nkd