Pope Leo XIV called on the Society of Jesus to take a leading role in defending ethics and reconciliation in a world marked by technology, inequality, and environmental crisis. He did so during a meeting with more than 100 Jesuit major superiors, led by Father Arturo Sosa, held in the Synod Hall.

The Pontiff warned that the current “age of change” is transforming all areas of life—culture, economics, politics, and technology—and highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence, which “redefines work, relationships, and human identity.” He also denounced ecological degradation, the rise of populism, and indifference to the suffering of the poor as evils that “require urgent spiritual and ethical responses.”

Leo XIV urged the Jesuits to maintain “agile, transparent, and Gospel-centered” ecclesial structures, in line with the synodal process. He also emphasized the need to become “experts in reconciliation” in a global context of division and exclusion, promoting a culture of forgiveness and encounter.

Regarding technological development, the Pope acknowledged its positive potential, but warned of the risks of manipulation, job loss, and isolation. “The Church must contribute to guiding these advances ethically, defending human dignity and the common good,” he maintained, inviting believers to use digital platforms to evangelize and counter “the false gods of consumerism and power.”

The Pontiff reiterated the four Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus—showing the way to God, accompanying the poor, caring for our common home, and walking alongside young people—as ongoing priorities for the order’s mission. He criticized the “dictatorship of an economy that kills,” dominated by profit, and urged the development of more just and sustainable models.

Speaking about young people, Leo XIV urged the Church to “speak their language” and be present in the spaces where they seek meaning and community. He emphasized that the upcoming World Youth Day in Korea will be “a key opportunity” to strengthen this bond.

Finally, the Pope asked the Jesuits to remain rooted in the Gospel and to be witnesses of hope amidst uncertainty. “No frontier will be beyond your reach if you walk with Christ,” he concluded. “Sow hope where there is despair, and bring light where darkness reigns.”