The rapid changes shaping societies around the world pose new questions for the mission of the Society of Jesus and for all those who share in it. From 7 to 11 September, Father General’s Extended Council gathered in Rome to pray, listen and reflect on these realities under the theme “Changes in the world: a challenge for our life-mission.” Bringing together perspectives from different regions and contexts, the meeting offered an opportunity to discern how the Society and its companions might respond to a world marked by conflict, political uncertainty, social divisions, disinformation and profound transformation. The following reflection gives an insight into the conversations, voices and prayer that shaped those five days. The Jesuit Conference of European Provincials was represented by its president Dalibor Renić SJ.

What happens when you spend a week praying, reflecting and listening to people who are living the fast-paced changes in our world? This question was at the heart of Father General’s Extended Council which convened in Rome from 7 – 11 September to pray and reflect around the theme: “Changes in the world: a challenge for our life-mission”.

For five days, the members of the Extended Council and the General Curia engaged with witnesses – Jesuits and lay people alike – living and working in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia Pacific and the United States as they shared about the pressures shaping their societies, how these changes affect their work and mission, and what they believe the Society of Jesus may be called to in response.

There was also an important change in the way some sessions with outside speakers were organized. Rather than limiting these encounters to members of the Extended Council, several sessions were opened to other members of the Curia, allowing them to broaden their own experience of the realities facing people around the world.

The opening day began with a time of prayerful reflection as participants tackled the personal question of where they stand what they feel as they consider the major changes taking place in the world.

Subsequent sessions saw the Extended Council listen to perspectives from political and economic hotspots, especially from regions experiencing high levels of tension, conflict or strategic competition with global implications for security, trade or diplomacy. The speakers joined mainly by video, but the distance did not hinder them from bringing their experience of the world into the Aula.

Moisés Naím shared his reflections on the rise of “charlatans”, manipulation, disinformation and the ways in which people can be misled. Fr David Neuhaus spoke from his experience in Middle East particularly Palestine/Israel. Fr Rigobert Minani brought the perspective of the Democratic Republic of Congo bringing the participants into contact with the political, social and human realities of Central Africa, and with the challenges these realities pose for the Jesuit mission. Shashi Tharoor offered an Indian perspective, while Marites Vitug spoke from the Philippines. Cardinal McElroy, in conversation with Fr Samuel Sawyer, brought the discussion to the experience of the United States.

Together, the speakers described a world marked by conflict, political uncertainty, manipulation of information, social divisions and rapid change. Yet they also pointed to opportunities for hope and the possibility of a brighter future.

Across the sessions, the format remained consistent. There was time to listen, ask questions, personal prayer, the Eucharist, and sharing in groups.

The final day brought the different voices together after four days of presentations and conversations. The participants gathered the fruits of their conversations into deep prayerful reflection in view of better carrying out the mission to which Jesuits and their companions are sent: to serve a world that is changing, to stand with people living through those changes, and to seek reconciliation and justice in the places where they are most needed.