When the Holy Father visited Hungary at the end of April, he met with the local Jesuit community. This practice of always meeting with the local Jesuits was initiated by Jesuit Fr. Antonio Spadaro, the editor of La Civilta Cattolica, which also publishes the transcript of these meetings.
These talks with local Jesuits are always fascinating because the pope is so clearly at ease. In addition, because of the nature of his audience, the conversation starts at 50 miles per hour. It is a bit specialized compared, say, with a sermon or with his remarks upon arriving at the airport. Given the questions he is asked, he often reflects on his life before he became pope. When he met with the Jesuits in Congo earlier this year, he revealed he had twice refused nomination as a bishop.
It is impossible to understand Francis without paying close attention to the fact he is a Jesuit, and these transcripts provide a hermeneutical key to his Jesuit sensibilities.
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With thanks to the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) and Michael Sean Winters, where this article originally appeared.
