The Most Famous Living Jesuit, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the living Jesuit you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 07:10

In the world of religious and educational influence, Jesuits hold a notable position due to their deep commitment to social justice, education, and theological insight. By focusing on the most famous living Jesuits, readers can gain insight into how these individuals impact various spheres of life, from academia and theology to social work and beyond. This list aims to highlight those whose lives and work continue to inspire and lead communities around the globe. Having a dynamic, user-driven list where you can vote on these influential figures not only keeps the information current but also provides a clearer picture of who is making a significant impact right now. This ongoing input from users like you ensures that the rankings reflect real-time changes and recognitions in the Jesuit community. Your participation helps in sculpting a resource that remains accurate, engaging, and relevant.

Who Is the Most Famous Living Jesuit?

1

42
votes
Presidenza della Repubblica · Attribution

Pope Francis

As the current leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis is undoubtedly the most famous living Jesuit. He has gained worldwide attention for his progressive stances on social and political issues, his emphasis on mercy and compassion, and his efforts to reform the Vatican. His papacy has been marked by a number of notable events, including the publication of his encyclical on climate change, his visits to conflict zones and refugee camps, and his role in the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba.
Pope Francis in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Jesuit
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Catholic
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular religious leaders in the world
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Bishop
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Argentinian
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous leader
2

48
votes
James Martin

James Martin is a Jesuit priest, author, and commentator who has become a prominent voice on issues of faith and social justice in the United States. He has written several bestselling books, including "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything" and "Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity." He is also a frequent contributor to a number of media outlets, including CNN, NPR, and The New York Times.
James Martin in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular TV chef in the UK
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular chef in the UK
3

23
votes

File:NLN Dan Berrigan 2008.jpg: Thomas Good derivative work: Innisfree987 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Daniel Berrigan

Daniel Berrigan was a Jesuit priest, poet, and peace activist who gained notoriety for his opposition to the Vietnam War and his involvement in a number of high-profile acts of civil disobedience. He was also a prolific writer, publishing dozens of books of poetry, essays, and theological reflections. His activism and writings inspired a generation of activists and continue to influence social justice movements today.
4

7
votes

Aquinat · Public domain

Jon Sobrino

Jon Sobrino is a Jesuit theologian and philosopher from Spain who has spent much of his career working and teaching in El Salvador. He is known for his work on liberation theology, a movement within the Catholic Church that emphasizes the importance of social and political liberation as an integral part of the Christian message. He has written several influential books on the subject, including "Christology at the Crossroads" and "The True Church and the Poor."
5

23
votes

Ignacio Ellacuría · Public domain

Ignacio Ellacuría

Ignacio Ellacuría was a Jesuit priest and philosopher from Spain who spent much of his career working and teaching in El Salvador. He was a leading figure in the liberation theology movement and an outspoken advocate for social justice and human rights. He was assassinated in 1989, along with several other Jesuit priests, by a military death squad.
6

10
votes

Gregory Boyle

Gregory Boyle is a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, a non-profit organization that provides job training and support services to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated individuals in Los Angeles. He is also the author of several books, including "Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion," which has become a bestseller and a staple of college reading lists.
7

13
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0

Teilhard de Chardin

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French Jesuit priest, philosopher, and paleontologist who is best known for his work on the concept of the Omega Point, a theoretical endpoint of human evolution and consciousness. His writings on the intersection of science and spirituality have influenced a wide range of fields, from philosophy and theology to ecology and environmentalism.
Teilhard de Chardin in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Jesuit
8

4
votes

Anefo · CC0

Pedro Arrupe

Pedro Arrupe was a Spanish Jesuit priest and scholar who served as the Superior General of the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1983. He was a strong advocate for social justice and human rights, and played a key role in shaping the direction of the Jesuit order during a time of significant change and upheaval in the Catholic Church.
9

7
votes

John Kavanaugh

John Kavanaugh is a Jesuit theologian and philosopher who has written extensively on issues of social justice, ethics, and political philosophy. He is a professor of philosophy at Saint Louis University and has authored several books, including "Following Christ in a Consumer Society" and "Who Count as Persons?: Human Identity and the Ethics of Killing."
10

9
votes

Anthony DeMello

Anthony DeMello was an Indian Jesuit priest and spiritual teacher who was known for his teachings on mindfulness, meditation, and spirituality. He authored several best-selling books, including "Awareness" and "The Way to Love," and his teachings have influenced a wide range of spiritual seekers and practitioners.

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Ranking factors for famous living Jesuit

Their contributions to the Jesuit order

This could include their work as educators, writers, theologians, social justice advocates, or missionaries.
Their impact on society

This could include their influence on Catholicism, their activism in areas such as refugee rights or climate change, or their work in promoting interfaith dialogue.
Public recognition

This could include media coverage, awards and honors, or social media followers.
The breadth and depth of their influence

This could include the number of people they have reached through their writing, teaching, or advocacy work, as well as the depth of impact they have made on individuals and communities.
Their personal qualities and character

This includes their humility, compassion, commitment to justice, and ability to inspire others.
Their longevity and activism

This includes their continued engagement in their work and activism over the years, and their relevance in contemporary society.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous living Jesuit. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Jesuit is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2044 views
186 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Jesuit once every 24 hours. The rank of each Jesuit is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous living jesuit

The Jesuit order is one of the most prominent and influential organizations within the Catholic Church. Founded by Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century, the Jesuits have been at the forefront of Catholic education, missionary work, and social justice initiatives for centuries. Today, there are over 16,000 Jesuit priests and brothers, serving in over 100 countries around the world. When it comes to identifying the most famous living Jesuit, there are several names that come to mind. From Pope Francis to theologians like James Martin and John O'Malley, there are many individuals who have made significant contributions to the Church and to society as a whole. At StrawPoll, we invite you to cast your vote and help us determine who should be crowned the most famous living Jesuit.