Jesuits are over the moon that the Vatican has selected one of their own as the new Pope, a major Catholic publisher tells Newsmax TV’s “The Steve Malzberg Show.”
“I’m ecstatic because [Pope Francis] is a Jesuit following in the footsteps of Ignatius,” said Father Joseph Fessio, founder of St. Ignatius Press, which specializes in Catholic books.
“He loves the church, he’s with the church all the way and he loves the poor. I mean it’s the perfect combination. … That’s the Holy Spirit.”
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Fessio said there is an interesting historical contradiction to the Vatican’s pick.
“The paradox of this is when Ignatius of Loyola founded the Jesuits, he put in this rule that Jesuits were not allowed to even become a bishop, but we’re also told we’re to be totally obedient to the Holy Father,” he said.
“So when the cardinals say you’ve been chosen, we have to obey. So he’s doing an obedience. He’s an extraordinary person and the church is going to be blessed with him.”
He noted that Jesuits have a proud heritage of service.
“We’re known as the educators of the country, the U.S. We have 28 colleges and universities; we’re a missionary order,” Fessio said.
“And we’re also known traditionally as the defenders of the Pope — the Pope’s army, the Pope’s shock troops, those who would defend the church’s teachings against anyone.”
Fessio said he believes the new Pope wants to rebuild the church.
“The Catholic Church has gone through some hard times, especially in the U.S. with the sex-abuse crisis, bishops hiding predators, financial scandals and so on,” he said.
“I’m so proud that we have John Paul II, then Benedict and now Francis I. Three incredibly great men.”
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