The canonization process for Father Pedro Arrupe, SJ, a revered Jesuit leader and mentor to Pope Francis, is nearing a milestone. On 14 November, the diocesan tribunal will conclude its investigation into Fr. Arrupe’s life, virtues, and holiness at the Lateran Palace in Rome, coinciding with his 117th birthday. This phase will pave the way for the Vatican to consider his beatification.
Fr. Arrupe, the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, served from 1965 to 1983, emphasizing social justice as a core aspect of Jesuit apostolic work. His leadership had a profound impact on Pope Francis, who was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969. Pope Francis has often spoken about his admiration for Fr. Arrupe, describing him as a spiritual father and model.
The path to sainthood requires several steps. If declared “venerable” by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Fr. Arrupe’s next step would be beatification, which requires at least one verified miracle attributed to his intercession. A second miracle would be necessary for canonization and the title of “saint.”
Fr. Arrupe’s remarkable life included serving as a missionary in Japan during World War II, where he helped transform a novitiate into a field hospital after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. He also founded the Jesuit Refugee Service in 1980, which continues to provide vital services to refugees worldwide.