The Society of Jesus was founded by Ignatius of Loyola, of noble Basque origin.
In 1534, together with some of his companions, he made a vow to preach from Paris to the Holy Land.
The Societas iesu or Society of Jesus is a male religious institution that observes the vow of total obedience to the Pope and has a particular focus on missions and education.
Pope Francis, elected on 13 March 2013, is the first pontiff from the Society of Jesus.
