During his first Mass as superior general Oct. 15, Father Sosa reflected on seeking to do not only the improbable but the impossible because nothing is impossible to God.

When asked to explain, Father Sosa said that to seek the impossible is "a Christian mission" and "a way of expressing one's faith."

For example, if someone were to analyze the current situation in the world, he said, "the world would seem to be getting worse and he or she can become pessimistic."

Countries like Father Sosa's native Venezuela, which is facing the worst economic crisis in its history, have adopted economic and political models "that cannot sustain the needs of the people," he said.

In Venezuela, he added, not only should the government of President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition work together, but the church also must continue to give "its important contribution to the common good."

While other problems such as war, violence, drug and human trafficking may seem insurmountable, he said, Jesuits are called to make known to the world that the "impossible is possible" not only through spiritual formation but also through their service as educators.

The superior general, who has known Pope Francis since 1983, stressed that at the heart of the Jesuits' mission is their link to the papacy and their willingness to obey him in choosing the priorities of their mission.

"If you are in any location, your temptation is to see that the most important thing is to work there. But there is somebody in the church that has that overview, and can say, 'No, that is very important, but I need you in another part of the world,'" Father Sosa said.

"The idea is to be an organization -- the Society of Jesus -- that can help the church when, where and in doing what the church needs," he said.

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