Pope Leo XIV Outlines Vision, Warns on AI/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope Leo XIV laid out his vision for the Catholic Church, identifying artificial intelligence as a central challenge for humanity. In his first address to cardinals, he emphasized continuity with Pope Francis’ reforms and concern for social justice. He pledged to defend human dignity in the face of AI’s rise.
Pope Leo XIV’s Vision Quick Looks
- Pope Leo XIV addresses cardinals in first formal speech.
- Warns that artificial intelligence is a major global threat.
- Pledges to defend human dignity, labor, and justice.
- Draws inspiration from Pope Leo XIII’s social teachings.
- Aligns closely with Pope Francis’ priorities and legacy.
- Reaffirms commitment to Vatican II and inclusive reforms.
- Supports a human-centered approach to AI regulation.
- References Pope Francis’ call for an international AI treaty.
- Speech delivered in synod hall, not the Apostolic Palace.
- Focus on collegiality, popular piety, and the marginalized.
Pope Leo XIV Outlines Vision, Warns on AI
Deep Look
Pope Leo XIV Warns of AI Threat, Vows to Continue Francis’ Reforms in First Address
VATICAN CITY — In his first formal address as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV laid out a forward-looking and socially conscious vision of his papacy on Saturday, highlighting artificial intelligence (AI) as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.
Delivering remarks to the College of Cardinals in the Vatican’s Synod Hall, the newly elected American pope invoked the teachings of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIII as he detailed his commitment to inclusion, justice, and the ethical use of emerging technology.
“The developments in artificial intelligence present new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor,” Pope Leo declared, emphasizing the moral responsibility of the Church to respond to a new digital revolution.
AI as the New Industrial Revolution
Leo’s remarks drew a direct line between the current AI transformation and the Industrial Revolution that inspired Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which laid the groundwork for Catholic social teaching. That document addressed the rights of workers and critiques of both unregulated capitalism and state socialism.
“In our day, the Church again must rise to meet a social question of similar weight,” Leo said.
His comments echoed Pope Francis, who in the final years of his pontificate repeatedly sounded the alarm about AI, calling for global regulation and ethical oversight.
A Continuation of Francis’ Legacy
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, signaled strong continuity with Pope Francis’ vision. He cited Francis’ 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) as his own guidepost.
“This is my roadmap,” Leo stated, reaffirming Francis’ push for a missionary Church, collegial leadership, and deep listening to the faithful, especially through popular piety and inclusive expressions of belief.
He also expressed a desire for courageous dialogue with modern society, including on polarizing issues such as technology, labor rights, and moral responsibility in the age of automation.
A Human-Centered Approach to AI
Pope Francis had previously warned that AI could reduce human relationships to algorithms and urged world leaders — including the G7 — to ensure AI development remains human-centric.
He even used his 2024 Peace Day message to call for a binding international treaty on AI ethics, warning that without human values such as compassion and mercy, artificial intelligence could become dangerously dehumanized.
Leo affirmed those concerns, noting that AI must not undermine the Church’s defense of human dignity, moral agency, and meaningful work.
“Technology must serve humanity — not replace it,” he declared.
A Papacy Rooted in Tradition, Looking to the Future
Leo also reaffirmed his full commitment to the Second Vatican Council, the pivotal series of 1960s reforms that opened the Church to the modern world and laid the groundwork for greater inclusivity, lay participation, and interfaith engagement.
His emphasis on continuing that legacy suggests a reform-minded yet doctrinally grounded papacy, blending traditional Catholic teaching with urgent moral concerns of the 21st century.
“We must be a Church of the least and the rejected,” Leo said, pledging to elevate the voices of the poor and marginalized.
Poised for a Global Role
The new pope’s speech was met with a standing ovation from the cardinals. Like his first appearance Thursday evening on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo’s remarks were prepared and deliberate, hinting at a leader who is both pastoral and precise in his message.
Though early in his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is clearly positioning himself to address not only spiritual concerns, but also to confront global ethical dilemmas — starting with the implications of artificial intelligence.
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