Local Jesuit priest discusses pope

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is a holy father of many firsts. He is the first pope from the Americas, the first to be named Francis and the first Jesuit pope. The Jesuits were founded by St. Ignatious of Loyola in 1540. The order is different from others because they take four vows instead of three.  The fourth vow is to be obedient to the pope.

Father Martin Moleski said, “Ignatious had this idea of making Jesuits especially available to the pope that he could order us to go anywhere in the world that he wanted.”

Pope Francis takes the helm of a Catholic Church that has been rocked in recent years by sex abuse scandals and claims of corruption. Issues that some believe he can turn around.

Father Moleski said, “I hope the Jesuit tradition gives him a certain practical wisdom.”

Pope Francis chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Father Moleski says it was a good choice because the spirit of St. Francis is needed in the modern church.

“St. Francis is from the 13th century and it was a time of corruption and decay in the church, turmoil in society, great great difficulties and St. Francis of Assisi had a vision,” explained Father Moleski.

Moleski says the pope’s jesuit background makes him similar to other popes because he accepts the role of representing Jesus, but he says his differences have yet to be shown.

Father Moleski says he never thought he would see the day when a Jesuit was elected as a pope because they take a vow of availability to the pope. But, he says now that Pope Francis is the head of the church, it makes being of service to the pope extra special.