Yesterday, the first Jesuit pope spent the feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola with the Little Sisters of Jesus in Ostia (cf. Vatican News story). I think this should maybe, hopefully (but perhaps it is a vain hope) be the final cue that Pope Francis’ spirituality is more complex than the primary narratives. He is, as I harp on about endlessly, as much a disciple of Charles de Foucauld, through René Voillaume and Arturo Paoli especially, as he is a Jesuit.

I’ve previously done research on Sister Geneviève and the Little Sisters at Ostia. About a year ago I published a lengthy summary of my findings, obtained through reading background books and via correspondence with a Little Sister of Jesus, on this relationship, as well as the relationship to trans people involved in the Ostia story. I also commented on and translated the Holy Father’s address to the Little Sisters during their General Chapter last year, in which Sister Geneviève is mentioned specifically. As far as I know, CitM is the only place you can find this background—still.

But maybe the wake-up call that we have a long-time Charles de Foucauld disciple in the Chair of Saint Peter is on the way. (Or maybe not.)

Image in header: AsiaNews story