The UN climate negotiations known as the SB64 meetings concluded in Bonn on 18 June, after two weeks of discussions preparing the ground for the next major climate summit, COP31, which will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026. The SB (Subsidiary Bodies) meetings are technical and political negotiations held each year under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They bring together governments, experts and civil society organisations to advance discussions on issues such as climate finance, adaptation, emissions reduction and the implementation of previous climate commitments. A team from the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) and the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES) participated in the meetings in Bonn, representing the Jesuit commitment to ecological justice and bringing the Jesuits for Climate Justice calls to the attention of international decision-makers. The team followed the negotiations closely, engaged with other actors and reported from the ground on the progress and challenges of the talks. While a more detailed analysis will follow, one central tension emerged throughout the negotiations: the urgent need for immediate climate action and the political difficulties involved in transforming commitments into concrete and fair policies. As governments debated responsibilities, implementation mechanisms and climate finance, the consequences of the climate crisis continued to be felt most severely by vulnerable communities and countries. Civil society organisations repeatedly called on decision-makers to move beyond dialogue and ensure that climate commitments translate into real action. For the Society of Jesus, these negotiations are closely connected to the mission of promoting ecological justice—recognising that environmental degradation is inseparable from social inequality and that those who have contributed least to the climate crisis are often those who suffer its greatest impacts. The Bonn meetings represent an important step towards COP31, where governments will continue negotiations on how to strengthen global climate action. Jesuit participation seeks to ensure that the voices of vulnerable communities remain present in international discussions and that climate responses are rooted in justice, solidarity and care for our common home. The Jesuits for Climate Justice coverage of SB64 is available through the SJES channels.

During his apostolic journey to Spain in June 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited several Jesuit communities and ministries, highlighting key dimensions of the Society of Jesus' mission: accompanying young people, welcoming migrants, and promoting a faith committed to justice and human dignity. In Madrid, more than 1,500 young people from Jesuit schools and the MAG+S network gathered for prayer, celebration and community. The encounter culminated in a prayer vigil and the Corpus Christi celebration, offering participants an opportunity to deepen their faith and experience the richness of the universal Church. For many, the gathering was a reminder that Jesuit education seeks not only to form minds but also to help young people encounter God in one another and become agents of hope. In the Canary Islands, Pope Leo XIV became the first Pontiff to visit the archipelago, drawing attention to one of the world's most dangerous migration routes. His visit recognised the hospitality of the local Church and reaffirmed the Church's commitment to accompany migrants and refugees. Jesuit ministries serving in the region, including those working with the Jesuit Migrant Service and ECCA Social, welcomed the Pope's call to uphold the dignity of every person forced to flee hardship and conflict. In Catalonia, the Holy Father presided over the Eucharist at the Basilica of the Sagrada Família and blessed the cross crowning the Tower of Jesus. Reflecting on the meaning of the Cross, he reminded the faithful that authentic Christian faith is inseparable from solidarity with those who suffer. During a prayer vigil with young people in Barcelona, he encouraged them to "find God in the reality in which we live," inviting them to face today's challenges with hope, faith and a spirit of community. The Pope also visited social ministries, including Brians 1 prison and the Parish of Sant Agustí in Barcelona, where he met organisations accompanying vulnerable people. His presence reinforced the Church's call to stand alongside those whose dignity is most at risk. Throughout his journey, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Jesuits and their collaborators to continue living the Gospel through education, pastoral ministry and social engagement. His visit offered a powerful affirmation of the Society of Jesus' mission in Spain: finding God in all things while serving those most in need with compassion, hope and faith.

From June 3–5, 2026, the Development Directors of the Conferences of Provincials in the Society of Jesus gathered at the General Curia in Rome. The meeting was called by the General Treasurer, Sebastian Jeerakassery, SJ, and his team. While some were unable to attend for various reasons, the following directors were present: David Godlesky, SJ (JCCU); Joe Victor, SJ (JCSA); Effendi Sunur, SJ (JCAP); and Gonzalo Villagrán, SJ (JCEP). The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the path traveled since 2007, when Fr. Kolvenbach first requested the creation of Development Offices in every province, and to assess the role of Conference Development Directors in these efforts. Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, joined the group for a substantial portion of one morning to share his vision and engage in a dialogue with the participants. In 2007, Fr. Kolvenbach established a development office in the Curia, initially run by Mr. Chuck Duffy and later continued by Jorge Serrano, SJ. Their work aimed to instill a culture of development and fundraising throughout the entire Society of Jesus. Nearly 20 years later, the vast majority of provinces have established their own development offices, marking the transition into a new stage focused on deepening this culture. While Conference Development Directors previously played a key role in promoting the concept and establishing these offices, their role in this new phase will shift toward training, coordinating, and harmonizing the various provincial efforts. The meeting covered several key topics: An initial sharing of the situation within each conference, a discussion with Father General, a presentation on the spirituality of fundraising, the relationship between the Treasurer and the Development Director, the respective roles of Conference and Provincial Development Directors, the possibilities of sharing databases, and the planning for the future of the group Three main ideas emerged from Father General’s talk and the subsequent discussions: The need for a development methodology that aligns with the style and values of the Society of Jesus. The importance of cultivating local donors rather than relying solely on foreign resources. A call to help benefactors look beyond the specific local institutions they currently support and embrace the broader, universal mission of the Society. Ultimately, clarifying the role of the Conference Development Director reaffirmed that work at the conference level is essential for coordinating local provincial initiatives into projects with a more universal and collective scope.

From 21 to 23 May, editors and collaborators from several Jesuit cultural journals across Europe gathered in Lisbon. The participants represented La Civiltà Cattolica, Études, Stimmen der Zeit, Signum, A Szív, Obnovljeni Život, and Brotéria. Hosted by Brotéria, the meeting provided an opportunity for shared reflection on the mission of Jesuit cultural journals today and their role in fostering a more mature, free and responsible public imagination. The programme combined presentations and discussions on the editorial work of each journal with conversations about the present and future of Europe. Participants also visited Jesuit historical sites in Lisbon, celebrated the liturgy together, and enjoyed numerous opportunities for informal conversation and fellowship. The gathering also featured the participation of Jesuit Fr François Euvé, who delivered this month's Eutopos lecture on the role of cultural journals in today's world. Portugal's Secretary of State for European Affairs, Inês Domingos, joined the group for a discussion on the contemporary challenges facing Europe. In the days preceding the meeting, Fr Nuno Gonçalves also offered an Aula da Esfera course exploring the relationship between Portugal and the Holy See. More than simply a series of meetings, these days became a genuine space for encounter, intellectual friendship and shared discernment among people who, despite working in very different contexts, share the same commitment to culture, public life and the mission of the Society of Jesus in today's world. The exchange of knowledge between society and experts throughout the world is nowadays visible in the incisive reflections of numerous Jesuit reviews. Their mission is to reflect, share knowledge and offer new insights on cultural, social, political and religious/spiritual issues. In the face of a crisis of European values, culture and beliefs, this network offers a possible way forward through its intellectual work; the promotion of synergies between the different reviews; and its commitment to answer the Church’s call more profoundly and effectively.

La Pairelle, the retreat house of the french-speaking Jesuits close to Namur was the place for the annual weekend retreat of the European Jesuit community which happened on May 29-31. All Jesuits working in the European works of the Society came together for the weekend. There was one full day of spiritual recollection reflecting and praying individually following the trias « mission – life – discerning community ». This was followed by an intensive sharing of each member of the community on his life and mission. The Sunday morning brought an evaluation on our community life, the discussion and decisions about several practical points and a planning for the next year. It is rare that the whole community comes together for a longer period, so we enjoyed also the conviviality, having a nice outing in the evening into town and a good restaurant. The weekend deepened the sense of belonging together, not only in the individual commitments but also the experience of our common mission for Europe and as a community. The Jesuits assigned to the European Jesuit works in Brussels reside at the Saint Benedict Community.

The visit of Fr. General Arturo Sosa to Poland, and two its two Jesuit provinces, marked an important moment in the life of the Jesuit Province, bringing together celebration, reflection, and a renewed focus on mission and reconciliation. The presence of the Society of Jesus in Poland, a presence distributed in two provinces, is a very important pillar of the Conference of European Jesuit Provincials (JCEP) given the number of Jesuits and the strength of their institutions and apostolates. This visit of Fr. General implies a strengthening and a renewal of the provinces that resonates in the whole Conference.  His visit, which took place in mid-May 2026, included stops in both Kraków and Warsaw, and coincided with the opening of the jubilee celebrations of the Polish Jesuit Provinces, as well as academic and pastoral gatherings that highlighted the Society’s historical presence and contemporary mission in the country. Kraków: Jubilee, memory, and mission The Kraków programme opened with a solemn Eucharistic celebration at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, presided over by Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś. The liturgy marked the beginning of the celebrations linked to the centenary of the reorganisation of the Society of Jesus in Poland and gathered Jesuits, collaborators, and friends of the Jesuit mission. Following the Mass, Fr. General took part in the official opening of a major international academic conference at the Jesuit University Ignatianum. The event, entitled “Continuities and Transformations. On the Centenary of the Reorganisation of the Society of Jesus in the Republic of Poland”, brought together scholars from Poland and abroad to reflect on the historical and contemporary dimensions of Jesuit presence in the region. In his address, Fr. General emphasized the identity of the Society of Jesus as one rooted in mission and reconciliation. Jesuit identity, he noted, is not static but dynamic—shaped by discernment, collaboration, and a willingness to take risks in service of the Gospel and of a reconciled world. The Kraków celebrations also highlighted the strong collaboration between Jesuits and lay partners, particularly in the fields of education, intellectual apostolate, and pastoral work—key dimensions of the Ignatian tradition in Poland today. Warsaw: encounter and mission in the capital The second stage of the visit took place in Warsaw, where Fr. General met with Jesuits and collaborators engaged in various apostolic works of the Society. A central reason for his presence in Warsaw was to preside over the Eucharistic celebration marking the beginning of the centennial jubilee commemorations of the Polish Jesuit Provinces and to pray in thanksgiving for the history and mission of the Society in Poland. A key moment of the Warsaw visit was the celebration of the Eucharist at the National Shrine of St. Andrew Bobola, a place deeply connected with Jesuit memory and witness. The liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Adrian Galbas and brought together Jesuits, friends of the Society, and members of the wider ecclesial community. In his homily, Fr. General returned to the central themes of reconciliation, mission at the frontiers, and collaboration with others in carrying forward the Jesuit apostolic mission. The visit underlined the universal dimension of the Society of Jesus and its commitment to being present where faith, justice, and human dignity are most deeply challenged. A shared celebration of identity and mission Across both cities, the visit of Fr. General served as a moment of gratitude and renewal. It connected the historical depth of Jesuit presence in Poland with the challenges and opportunities of today’s mission. The celebrations in Kraków and Warsaw highlighted not only the rich academic and spiritual heritage of the Polish Jesuits, but also the living reality of a Society engaged in education, reconciliation, and service in collaboration with many partners. As the visit came to a close, it left behind a renewed sense of belonging to a global mission—rooted in the Ignatian tradition and oriented toward hope, justice, and reconciliation in today’s world.