Franz Retz

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Francis Retz (born Prague in 1673-1750) was an Austrian Jesuit, and fifteenth Superior-General of the Society of Jesus from 7 March 1730 to 19 November 1750.

Father Retz was elected general unanimously. His able administration contributed much to the welfare of the Society; he obtained the canonization of St. John Francis Regis.

Father Retz's generalate was perhaps the quietest in the history of the order. At the time of his death, the Society contained thirty nine provinces, twenty four houses of professed Fathers, 669 colleges, sixty one novitiates, 335 residences, 273 mission stations, 176 seminaries, and 22,589 members of whom 11,293 were priests.