Editing Ignatius of Loyola (section)

===Legacy===

Ignatius of Loyola's legacy is vast and multifaceted. The Society of Jesus became the largest male religious order in the [[Roman Catholic Church]], known for its contributions to education, missionary work, scholarship, and the sciences. Jesuits established a global network of schools and universities, many of which remain prominent today. The order produced notable figures including [[Matteo Ricci]] (who brought Christianity to China), [[Robert Bellarmine]] (Counter-Reformation theologian), and, in the modern era, [[Pope Francis]] (the first Jesuit pope, elected in 2013).

The order's commitment to education was formalized with the publication of the ''Ratio Studiorum'' (''Plan of Studies'') in 1599 under Superior General [[Claudio Acquaviva]], which established comprehensive standards for Jesuit education and had profound influence on educational practice throughout early modern Europe and beyond.

Ignatian spirituality has transcended the boundaries of the Jesuit order, influencing Christians of many denominations and even people outside formal religious traditions. The ''Spiritual Exercises'', in various adapted forms, are made by hundreds of thousands of people annually. Concepts such as "finding God in all things," "[[contemplativos en la acción|contemplatives in action]]," and the practice of discernment have become central to contemporary Christian spirituality and increasingly to secular mindfulness and retreat practices.

Ignatius's emphasis on interiority, personal experience of God, and adaptability to circumstances made the Society of Jesus a dynamic force in the Counter-Reformation and beyond, shaping Catholic responses to [[Protestantism]], [[modernity]], and globalization for nearly five centuries. Contemporary scholarly research continues to reassess his historical role, moving beyond earlier hagiographic portrayals to examine him as a complex figure embedded in the religious, political, and intellectual currents of sixteenth-century Europe.