Francis called for reflection on the encyclical in which he “sought to draw attention to the cry of the earth and of the poor.”

Father Nicolás “was not the kind of leader who says, ‘I am the one who knows everything.’ He really trusted in people, and he listened.”

A study by the State University of Milan, Italy, has reported that the fear and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in religiosity and devotional practice within the country.

The Kingdom of God does not rest on the actions of one person.

This week on the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, the hosts discuss the Vatican's work to lead the world’s humanitarian and diplomatic response to the coronavirus pandemic, even as it faces a major decrease in income.

“As superior general,” Father Arturo Sosa said of Father Nicolás, “he brought to the Society his deep missionary vocation that helped us to see the universality of the mission from the perspective and the passion of presenting the Good News in all corners of the world.”