Jesuit superior pleased, others surprised by election of Jesuit pope

The election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be pope "opens for the church a path full of hope ... at this crucial time," the Jesuit superior general said in Rome, reports NCR Online.

At this time, all Jesuits should remember the special vow of obedience they make to the pope and renew their commitment to make themselves available "to be sent into the vineyard of the Lord," said the statement from Fr Adolfo Nicolás (pictured), the Jesuit superior general, said in a statement.

"The distinguishing mark of our Society is that it is ... a companionship ... bound to the Roman Pontiff by a special bond of love and service," the statement said, quoting from the order's constitution.

The statement also praised Bergoglio's choosing the name Francis. The choice shows his "evangelical spirit of closeness to the poor, his identification with simple people, and his commitment to the renewal of the Church," the statement said.

Bergoglio is a member of the Society of Jesus, the religious order founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1534. He was head of the order in Argentina in the 1970s.

Despite official praise from the Jesuit superior, individual Jesuits expressed surprise.

The Vatican spokesperson, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, told reporters: "Personally, I'm a bit shocked to have a Jesuit pope. Jesuits think of themselves as servants, not authorities in church."

"Jesuits resist being named bishop or cardinal. To be named pope -- wow," Lombardi said. "Must have been result of strong call."