OLIVA, GIAN PAOLO. — Eleventh Superior General of the Jesuits, born in Genoa on 4 Oct. 1600, died in Rome on 26 Nov. 1681. He entered the Society in 1616, served as rector of the Roman College, and was apostolic preacher under Innocent X, Alexander VII, Clement IX, and Clement X. He was also vicar general with right of succession to Fr. G. Nikel (1661) and became Superior General in 1664.
He governed with a firm hand tempered by affability and displayed great skill in navigating a difficult period to remove any cause of discord between the Society and other religious orders, always surrounding them with affectionate respect. He steadfastly maintained his subjects on the right path amid delicate issues raised by European monarchs (regalian rights and the Gallican declarations of the French clergy in 1682; the more or less political stances of some Jesuits in Spain, Portugal, Poland, England), the controversy over probabilism, and the role of vicars apostolic in the missions. He was especially consoled by the growth and success of the missionaries and the formation of outstanding preachers (P. Segneri, G. P. Pinamonti, C. Texier, L. Bourdaloue, V. Huby, J. Maunoir—now Blessed—A. Vieira, etc.).
Works: Prediche dette nel Palazzo Apostolico (3 vols., Rome 1659–74); Quaranta servimenti detti in vari sacri luoghi di Roma (ibid. 1670); Sermoni domestici (10 series, ibid. 1670–82). His eloquence indulged in the style and mannerisms of the time, yet it was solid, energetic, and effective, and was always received with deep emotion.