Jesuits gathering in Rome for the election of their leader have been in discussion about the future direction of the Society of Jesus. Inspiration is being taken from a former leader and the present Pope

Take a look at the group photos of Jesuits who gathered in Rome to elect their leaders over the last 50 years and the changing profile of the Society of Jesus is plain to see.

The black-and-white photos from the thirty-first General Congregation held in 1965 and 1966 show mainly white men who have come to Rome from all six continents. In subsequent pictures, the number of Europeans diminishes and younger faces from Africa and Asia appear. By 2008, the number of delegates from Europe and from the Global South is roughly the same.

The trend has continued at the thirty-sixth General Congregation (GC36), currently meeting in Rome. Numbering 124, more than half the 215 delegates are from the Global South. This week, they have had the crucial task of electing their leader, known as the Superior General, following the resignation of Fr Adolfo Nicolás at the age of 80.

The overall number of the Jesuits has fallen from 30,000 in the 1960s to 16,400 today, largely due to the decline in vocations in Europe. The delegates at GC36 have contrasting experiences. Europeans are closing parishes and institutions as well as scaling down their administrative structures. Those from parts of Africa, and South Asia, in particular, have plenty of vocations and are expanding their activities.