The Hank Center for The Catholic Intellectual Heritage
The Hank Center is delighted to welcome Pope Leo XIV as the first pope from the United States. Augustinian priest, Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago, is a creative bridge-builder, tested leader, well-travelled global citizen—and a great dinner companion as well! We pray for the new shepherd of the Church and that, through his leadership, the Church may flourish in holiness and be of profound service to the world.
The Hank Center for The Catholic Intellectual Heritage
News and Events
In the News
"Magnifica Humanitas" Media featuring Hank Center Leadership
Ongoing
Pope Leo XIV's first Encyclical Letter, "Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence" has been the topic of much discussion and reflection since it was released on May 25, 2026. The Hank Center's leadership team, including Executive Director, Dr. Michael Murphy, and Associate Director, Dr. Joseph Vukov, have joined this public discourse and brought fruitful insights to conversations across the globe. You can read their reflections and watch interviews with both of them on this page.
News Story
Remembering Bill Hank
July 16, 1932 – May 7, 2026
The Hank Center mourns the passing of William J. “Bill” Hank, founding benefactor of the Joan and Bill Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage. Bill died peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Nexus Journal
Dei Verbum at 60: Rediscovering the Word of God Ever Anew
Explore the Catholic Imagination in the most recent volume Nexus, the Hank Center's journal, as well as all previous editions.
New Videos Available!
Habemus Papam: Three Journalists Weigh In on Pope Leo’s First Year
Cardinal Bernardin Dialogues
To mark the one-year anniversary of Pope Leo’s election, The Hank Center will host a conversation focused on the first year of the Pope Leo’s reign: What has he accomplished? Where do we go from here? What remains to be done? Journalists Colleen Dulle (America), Michael Sean Winters (National Catholic Reporter), and Gretchen Crowe (Our Sunday Visitor) will offer their take on Pope Leo’s first year. Dominic Preziosi (Commonweal) will moderate.
Spring 2026 Event Calendar
Look back at all the events for the Spring 2026 semester!
Recent Videos
Vatican Access with Robert Duncan and Catholic News Service, "Expert Panel Reacts to Pope Leo's AI Warning"
Four experts--Hank Center Director, Dr. Michael Murphy, Bo Bonner, Brett Robinson, and Luigi Russi--on AI and Catholic teaching join Robert Duncan to discuss Pope Leo’s first encyclical on artificial intelligence and what they believe is its deeper message about the human person in a technological age. Drawing on theology, philosophy, media studies, and Catholic social teaching, they argue that the encyclical is not primarily about technology itself, but about safeguarding human dignity, relationships, attention, work, and spiritual freedom in the face of rapidly advancing AI systems.
Mark Massa, S.J., “Catholic Fundamentalisms”
The Hank Center was pleased to welcome Fr. Mark Massa, SJ of Boston College’s Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, for its 2025-2026 Jesuit Lecture. He will speak about his new book, Catholic Fundamentalism in America. Heidi Schlumpf, Senior Correspondent for Commonweal Magazine, provided a response.
Book Discussion: Crabgrass Catholicism by Fr. Stephen M. Koeth
Koeth argues that postwar suburbanization of the 1950s and 1960s revolutionized the Catholic parish, the relationship between clergy and laity, conceptions of parochial education, and Catholic participation in US politics, and thereby was a significant factor in the religious disaffiliation that only accelerated in subsequent decades.
Our Community
2025 Michael J. Garanzini, S.J. Fellows Highlight
We are proud to introduce the 2025 cohort of the Michael J. Garanzini, S.J. Fellowships in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and to highlight their diverse range of research topics. View the 2025 Garanzini Fellows and their work.
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Faculty Seminar
The Hank Center has been tasked by the university to offer an innovative seminar for faculty and administrators on the mission of the university and its commitment to social justice.
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Recommended Reading
Each month CCIH will recommend new and notable books that integrate, interrogate, and celebrate the Catholic intellectual and artistic tradition.
Read More_(cropped).jpg "Pope Benedict XVI")
Remembering Pope Francis
Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025 at the age of 88. The Hank Center has compiled some of the remembrances of Pope Francis, his papacy, and his special connection to Loyola University Chicago.
Learn MoreRelated Links
Nexus Journal
Explore the Catholic Imagination in the most recent volume Nexus, the Hank Center's journal, as well as all previous editions. Read Nexus here.