Black Pope
"Black Pope" is a nickname given to the Superior General, usually by the media (and never used by the Jesuits themselves). The name comes partly from the color of the plain black priest's cassock, worn by members of the Society, including the Superior General, partly from a past concern (most prominent around the 16th and 17th centuries) amongst Protestant European countries concerning the relative power of the Jesuits within the Roman Catholic Church, and partly because the Superior General is elected for life.
Read more about this topic: Superior General Of The Society Of Jesus
Famous quotes containing the words black and/or pope:
“a long shot at long odds, a black mare
By Hatred out of Envy by Despair.”
—James Vincent Cunningham (1911–1985)
“I wouldn’t take the Pope too seriously. He’s a Pole first, a pope second, and maybe a Christian third.”
—Muriel Spark (b. 1918)