Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, has captured our attention by stepping away from the papal throne, unafraid to give impromptu interviews, decentralize church governance, or explore new horizons for the greater good of the people of God. His actions and words suggest that he is here not to dominate but to serve, less inclined to preach than to listen, and to bring us back to Jesus “that we may have life and have it more abundantly.” Award-winning journalist Robert Blair Kaiser argues that the pope’s Jesuit DNA is central to understanding how Pope Francis is shaping the church and the world. Inside the Jesuits takes readers inside the Jesuits’ head-and-heart take on faith. The author tells the story of his own Jesuit training before leaving to become a journalist and highlights how the key elements of the Jesuit formation have made Pope Francis the pope he is—like Jesus in his simplicity, launching bold administrative moves to update the Church, and daring to say and do things no other pope has said or done. He washes the feet of those in prison, including a Muslim woman. He says of homosexuals, "Who am I to judge?" To further illustrate the Jesuit DNA in action, Kaiser produces some fascinating profiles of other Jesuits and former Jesuits working the Jesuit motto, "for the greater glory of God"—which Kaiser gives a more worldly spin: "for the greater good of the people of God." Inside the Jesuits is a powerful exploration of how the Jesuit training—to be more like Jesus—has shaped Pope Francis, a self-confessed sinner who encourages us to love our supposedly-less-worthy selves and help make a better world.

"As a journalist and author of 16 previous books, Kaiser has a long-standing interest in church affairs, honed when he was a New York Times bureau chief in Rome. More significantly, he was himself a Jesuit-in-training for 10 years. . . .This is a book written, not by a disinterested outsider, but by one of the club. Throughout, Kaiser is keen to emphasize not only that Pope Francis is different to his predecessors and will lead the church in a new way, but that the nature of his difference lies precisely in the fact that he is a Jesuit. The thrust of the argument is summed up in a quote from another member: 'Jesuits are never content with the status quo.'" - Irish Independent

"Robert Blair Kaiser's analysis of what makes Pope Francis tick is a wonderful read and to be promoted. . . . The book is an excellent read. . . . I highly recommend this book. It is insightful and well worth the effort of a read. Good on Kaiser for bringing it to us." - The Catholic Register

"Throughout the book, Kaiser’s contentions and observations are rarely dull and often intriguing." - America: The Jesuit Review of Faith & Culture

"Inside the Jesuits offers an introduction to the Jesuits and the things that seem to make them providentially unique to some and regrettably controversial to others. Either way, it is an engaging read." - ThinkJESUIT

"Pope Francis has been boldly changing the world through his everyday encounters, impromptu interviews, and down-to-earth attitude. Robert Blair Kaiser argues in Inside the Jesuits (Rowman and Littlefield, 2014) that these actions are caused by the pope having 'Jesuit DNA.' Once a Jesuit-in-training himself before leaving to pursue a career in journalism, Kaiser shows how Pope Francis’ personality has been shaped by the basic elements in Jesuit formation." - U.S. Catholic Book Club

"[Inside the Jesuits is a] very positive book." - The Jersey Journal

"Inside the Jesuits gives the reader a new, sharper lens with which to look at Pope Francis’ activities. Whether the reader agrees or disagrees with Robert Kaiser’s conclusions, this insightful book is worthy of consideration and study." - Contemporary Christian Readings

"One of the most interesting aspects of Kaiser's book, and perhaps one of its key contributions, is its expert quick survey of the kind of thinking-on-the-frontiers that Jesuit theologians (many of them hounded and attacked by the two popes prior to Francis) have been doing for some time now — thinking that has clearly influenced the current pope, and will now begin to permeate the entire church through his new opening to theological discussion, and, in particular, liberation theology." - Bilgrimage

"Inside the Jesuits: How Pope Francis is Changing the World and the Church by noted journalist and former Jesuit Robert Blair Kaiser, offers insights on the pope’s 'Jesuit DNA.'. . . .My Rating: Read this book if you are the type of person who likes to know the 'why' behind people and events." - Nihil Obstat

"This lively book argues that the now mostly liberal Jesuit Order has shaped Pope Francis and has laid the groundwork for a reforming papacy. . . .The outside world is hoping for changes in church-state relations and in policies that affect the rest of humanity." - Voice of Reason

"The late Robert Blair Kaiser has written one of the first treatments of Pope Francis, and has done so in a journalistic style which integrates memoir with some new insights. . . .Kaiser’s book does help highlight some aspects of the North American Jesuit experience that historians no doubt will find of great interest in years to come. This book can be used as a resource for piecing together America’s modern Jesuit history. For example, future historians will find value in the published discussions between Kaiser and the embattled ex-Jesuit peace activist John Dear. Kaiser also wistfully, yet with great detail, recalls the engagement of Alinskyite Jesuits in California and their founding of pico, the Pacific Institute for Community, which lobbied leftward for housing and labor goals during the 1970s." - Journal of Jesuit Studies