Jesuit leaders call for prayers for Pope and his successor

Pope Benedict with Fr Nicolás

The British Jesuit Provincial is encouraging all members of the Province and their co-workers to pray for Pope Benedict, for those who will elect his successor and for the man who will take over as Pope within the next few weeks. Fr Dermot Preston SJ echoed the sentiments of the Jesuit Superior General, Fr Adolfo Nicolás SJ, who wrote today of the 'respect and admiration' felt by the Society of Jesus for the Pope, following his announcement yesterday that he intends to resign on 28 February.

"We recall the consoling experience of encounter with him [Pope Benedict] during the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus five years ago, when the Holy Father expressed his confidence in and closeness to the Society of Jesus, and challenged us to 'reach the geographical and spiritual places where others do not reach or find it difficult to reach'," wrote Fr Nicolás. "We are profoundly grateful for the trust and inspiration Pope Benedict has given us through the years of his pontificate," he added.

Fr Preston spoke of the warm relationship that has existed over the eight years of Pope Benedict's papacy. As examples of the rapport between the Pope and the Society, he highlights contact between both the present General and his predecessor, Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach SJ, whose resignation he accepted in 2008 when he reached the age of 80 - a move that perhaps foreshadowed Benedict's own decision. Two years earlier, Pope Benedict had appointed a Jesuit - Fr Federico Lombardi SJ - as Director of the Vatican Press Office, as well as Director of Vatican Radio and Vatican Television.

In his letter to the Society of Jesus across the world, Fr General Nicolás reflected on the importance of the relationship between Jesuits and the Holy Father, saying: "In the spirit of the fourth vow that unites the Society in a special way to the Roman Pontiff, let us pray for Pope Benedict XVI, and let us recommit ourselves to the mission which he has entrusted to the Society.' He concluded by urging Jesuits and their co-workers - alongside the whole Church - to 'pray in a special way for the enlightenment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, as a new Successor of Peter is sought and elected.'