The current superior general of the Jesuits met with the press in Rome to recall his predecessor, Adolfo Nicolás, who died in Tokyo on May 20. He remembered him as a person who wore himself out serving others.
FR. ARTURO SOSA
Superior General of the Society of Jesus
“There are the pictures. Those who knew Fr. Nicolás when he was young and now see him at the time of his death, see a deterioration of the person. It is not a coincidence; it is not just age. He was not so old either, but was a person who wore himself out, because he put his whole being at the service of others. He certainly was a person who kept nothing for himself. With immense generosity, he gave everything.”
Adolfo Nicolás and Arturo Sosa have known each other since 1995, and have worked closely since 2008. In 2014, he moved from Venezuela to Rome to work together.
FR. ARTURO SOSA
Superior General of the Society of Jesus
“For 25 years we have been very, very close. I can certainly say that Fr. Nicolás is one of my teachers.”
The meeting with journalists took place in the same place where this gesture of loyalty took place. Adolfo Nicolás hugged his successor as a sign of respect.
FR. ARTURO SOSA
Superior General of the Society of Jesus
“He was very excited, because it was a very important moment in his life. I was still very stunned. It really was a very heartfelt hug. I think he felt that he was unloading, but he was calm, because the Congregation had made a decision that left him like that.”
Adolfo Nicolás was the 29th successor of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He led the Society of Jesus from 2008 to 2016. Although it is a life position, he resigned when he noticed he was getting weaker, so as not to stop the work of the Jesuits.
His funeral will be in Tokyo on Saturday, May 22.
