Artificial Intelligence and Pope Leo XIV

In his first speech to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV articulated the philosophical direction of his papacy and provided an unexpected rationale for his chosen name: artificial intelligence.

Citing his precursor, Pope Leo XIII, who famously confronted the challenges posed by the initial industrial revolution, the new pope articulated his ambition to tackle today’s similarly transformative forces, particularly the societal changes prompted by the rapid advancements in AI.

“I opted for the name Leo XIV,” the pope stated, “as Pope Leo XIII in his pivotal Encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social inquiries within the context of the first significant industrial revolution. In our present time, the Church extends to all the wealth of her social teachings in response to another industrial upheaval and to developments in the realm of artificial intelligence that present new obstacles for the safeguarding of human dignity, fairness, and work.”

The Vatican shared this commentary in an official English translation, also disseminated by the Catholic News Service.

While the Church has been progressively enhancing its involvement with the ethical aspects of AI, the statements made by Pope Leo XIV imply that artificial intelligence will be a primary focus throughout his papacy. Earlier this year, the Vatican published a document examining the consequences of AI on truth, morality, and the dissemination of misinformation, mirroring a cautionary note from Pope Francis about the dangers of AI-generated misleading narratives.

Pope Francis had previously expressed concern regarding AI’s ability to sway public perceptions and blur the lines between reality and fabrication. However, by placing AI at the forefront of his papal mission, Pope Leo XIV seems to be heralding a new chapter: one where the Church aims not only to admonish technological changes but to actively influence their ethical considerations.

The Catholic Church, which has historically served as a mediator between tradition and innovation, now appears ready to engage more robustly in the evolving nexus of technology, justice, and spirituality.