How can we effectively frame our messages to capture media interest? How did the Jesuits use the media during Pope Francis' visit to Hungary last year? How should we reach out to young people so that the fruits of our work should result in Jesuit vocations? These were the central themes discussed at the annual meeting of the European Jesuit webmasters and communicators (JesWebCom), held from May 6th to May 9th. This year's gathering was hosted by the Communication Office of the Hungarian province in Budapest and at the Cardoner Hotel in Dobogókő.

20 representatives from nine provinces, the Jesuit Roman Curia and from the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) convened in Budapest and Dobogókő for this year's European Network of Webmasters and Communicators (JesWebCom) conference.

The opening mass took place at Christ the King Church in Budapest. The meeting itself was hosted at the Hungarian Jesuits’ Cardoner Hotel and Conference Centre in Dobogókő. The hotel is not an apostolic work but a for-profit investment, whose funds will support the Manréza Spiritual Retreat House and the Jesuits’ Roma mission in North-Eastern Hungary.

This year's program had two primary focuses. On the first day, SJ Bálint Nagy, the vocation promoter of the Hungarian province, gave insights into his work, detailing his efforts to support individuals called to family life or Jesuit ministry and priesthood. The Communication Office of the Hungarian Province presented the Montserrat Jesuit vlog, also aimed at promoting vocations. Members from the Hungarian Communications office also delivered presentations and practical sessions based on their journalistic experience, followed by discussions on media coverage of Pope Francis' visit to Hungary last year.

During the Budapest segment of the three-day event, the Hungarian socius, Zoltán Koronkai SJ guided the participants through the Jesuit centre of the Hungarian capital, offering an engaging presentation on the province's history and current activities. The team then visited the Hungarian Jesuit Refugee Service, where Emese Kővágó and Andrea Kormos detailed the organization's initiatives in the presence of some of their users.

Before the evening dinner and Tokaj wine tasting, the participants had a few hours of sightseeing, some exploring Budapest on foot, others venturing by bike to visit major attractions of the Hungarian capital.

On the final day, representatives from the Curia in Rome and the European Jesuit headquarters in Brussels showcased the revamped jesuit.media and jesuits.eu websites, along with the latter's newsletter and the Jesuit Pilgrimage app. Finally, Herminio Rico SJ, socius of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials, announced that next year's JesWebCom will be hosted in Paris.