In his first formal address to the College of Cardinals, newly elected Pope Leo XIV signaled that the Catholic Church will take an active role in addressing the societal implications of artificial intelligence. Drawing a parallel with Pope Leo XIII’s response to the industrial revolution in the late 19th century, the new pontiff positioned AI as a central theme in the Church’s ongoing commitment to defending human dignity and justice.
Speaking from the Vatican on Saturday, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the legacy of his predecessors and the direction of the Church in the wake of Pope Francis’s passing. He emphasized continuity with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and the priorities laid out in Evangelii Gaudium, including missionary outreach, care for the marginalized, and dialogue with contemporary society.
In a key passage of the address, Pope Leo XIV stated that his choice of name was in part inspired by Pope Leo XIII, author of the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed the social impacts of industrialization. He continued:
“In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour.”
This marks the first time a Pope has explicitly linked artificial intelligence with the Church’s body of social doctrine. While the address did not elaborate on specific positions or policies, the reference suggests that the Vatican may expand its engagement with issues such as algorithmic bias, digital labour, and the ethical design of AI systems.
The brief mention comes amid growing global debate over the societal risks and opportunities associated with AI, including its impact on employment, surveillance, and autonomy. Recent statements from Vatican departments, including the Pontifical Academy for Life and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, have touched on similar concerns, but Saturday’s remarks elevate the issue to the highest level of papal attention.
Pope Leo XIV concluded his address by invoking the spirit of unity and cooperation, encouraging the Church to act as a beacon of faith and justice in the modern world. His comments suggest a continuation—and possible deepening—of the Church’s efforts to provide ethical guidance in response to emerging technologies.
