Lorenzo Ricci

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Lorenzo Ricci (August 2, 1703 – November 24, 1775) was the 18th and last Superior General of the Society of Jesus before the suppression of the Jesuits.

Born in Florence, he entered the order when 15. He led the Jesuits from 1758 until his death while incarcerated in 1775. The Vatican was intimidated by the aggressive nature of the order’s missionary ventures and promulgation of "heretic" scientific endeavors. Once his protector, Pope Clement XIII died, Lorenzo along with his staff were imprisoned in an attempt to crush the order. Lorenzo died two years later in Castel Sant’ Angelo in Rome.