Communication delegates from the six Conferences convened at the General Curia last week to confront the defining challenges of their ministry: examining ways to better communicate the mission and vision of the Society of Jesus in an age of rapid technological transformation.

From 19–22 May, in what has become an annual tradition of meeting, the delegates had a chance to step back from the daily grind of institutional communications work to reflect on larger questions about their mission. The gathering began with a moment of prayer, personal reflection, and group sharing. Then each delegate gave a presentation on their experiences from the past year in their respective regions, describing ongoing initiatives and their vision for the future.

Meeting with Father General

The meeting took on sharper focus on its second day when Father General Arturo Sosa addressed the group, proposing a few points for reflection. He charged the delegates with the task of responding to the evolving impact of Artificial Intelligence with competence and discernment, but also cautioned against losing sight of its dangers.

But the General’s message went beyond technology. He emphasized the imperative of ethical communication in a world where falsehood spreads faster than truth, calling on the delegates to cultivate a “prophetic courage” – a willingness to speak uncomfortable truths and centre voices typically excluded from institutional narratives.

“We must allow the experience of the peripheries reshape the stories we tell at the centre”, Fr Sosa insisted, directing communicators to prioritize the stories of marginalized communities, the contributions of lay collaborators, and the perspectives of young people.

Father General also highlighted the value of collaboration across the Society’s diverse global Conferences. “Universality does not mean uniformity”, he said, noting instead that the Society’s strength lies in its ability to maintain “union of minds and hearts” while working across linguistic and cultural boundaries and respecting distinct regional identities.

In addition, Fr General reminded the delegates that the work of communication is a ministry of hope which should be transmitted through content that promotes dialogue, interiority and a deeper encounter with Jesus. He concluded by urging the delegates to be innovative as they continue to take up their mission of communication.

Preparing for MAGIS 2027

As preparations ramp up towards the celebration of MAGIS 2027 in South Korea, members of the team involved in putting together the event gave a presentation, suggesting possible intersections between the work of communication in view of the general success of the celebration.

Fr Kim Hak-joon Lorenzo, SJ, provided an overview of preparations for the event, while Fr P.V. Buan Sing, SJ, unveiled digital resources – apps, games, books, and prayer guides – in a website designed to sustain the MAGIS spirit beyond the event itself.

Fr John Dardis, SJ, General Counsellor for Discernment and Apostolic Planning, invited the communications delegates to help amplify the message surrounding MAGIS 2027, framing it as an opportunity to advance the Society’s third Apostolic Preference: accompanying young people in the creation of a hope-filled future.

Vatican event

Creating a break in the rhythm of the meeting, the group attended an event organized at the Urbaniana University by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communications around the 60^th World Communications Day with the theme “Preserving human voices and faces”. The event, organized in several panels, pointed at the importance of preserving the human dimension even as Artificial Intelligence reshapes how we encounter and use information.

The timing of the meeting in Rome proved significant. It came a few days before Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical letter titled Magnifica Humanitas,on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence, on 25 May 2026. This Vatican dicastery event prepared the ground for the reception of the Encyclical and offered a forum to reflect on ethical ways to engage this emerging technology.

Other sessions during the 4-day meeting focused on the evolving format of the Society’s annual magazine and brainstorming around new communications initiatives. Throughout, the meeting was a space of praying, sharing and learning as the delegates grappled with a common challenge: how to better be of service through communications to the mission of the Society of Jesus.