Arturo Sosa Abascal

Arturo Marcelino Sosa Abascal (born 12 November 1948) is a Venezuelan Catholic priest who serves as the 31st and present superior general of the Society of Jesus. He was elected by the Society's 36th General Congregation on 14 October 2016, succeeding Adolfo Nicolás. He is the first person born in Latin America to lead the Jesuits. Early life and education Arturo Marcelino Sosa Abascal was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on 12 November 1948, the son of Arturo Sosa, Sr. a prestigious businessman who served twice as finance minister in 1958 and 1982. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1966 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1977. He earned a licentiate in philosophy from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in 1972, and a doctorate in political science from the Universidad Central de Venezuela in 1990. Priestly ministry