Leo XIV’s initial address as pope featured a poignant message to the College of Cardinals, cautioning them about the significant new threats to human dignity posed by artificial intelligence. He urged the Catholic Church to confront these challenges head-on with clear moral guidelines and decisive actions.
Speaking at the New Synod Hall, the Pope said the Catholic Church has faced similar moments before.
The pontiff drew parallels between the swift advancements in AI technology today and the societal transformations brought about by the industrial revolution of the 19th century, emphasizing the Church’s role in advocating for workers’ rights and social justice.
Leo XIV referenced Pope Leo XIII’s groundbreaking encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed social issues during the first industrial revolution. He highlighted the importance of the Church’s rich tradition of social teachings in navigating the current industrial revolution and the advancements in artificial intelligence.
Pope Leo XIV meets the College of Cardinals in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican, Saturday. (Vatican Media via AP)
“These are Gospel principles through which the merciful face of the Father has been revealed and continues to be revealed in the Son made man,” he said. “Let us take up this precious legacy and continue on the journey, inspired by the same hope that is born of faith.”
He also urged Catholics to stay grounded in quiet prayer and discernment in a noisy digital world. He quoted Scripture to say that God is often heard not in thunder or spectacle, but in “the whisper of a gentle breeze” or “the sound of sheer silence.”
The Pope also reflected on the recent death of Pope Francis. He called the moment both sorrowful and filled with God’s grace. He described the transition to a new pope as a “paschal event,” a kind of spiritual turning point, and thanked his predecessor for his life of service.
Pope Leo XIV meets the College of Cardinals in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican on Saturday. (Vatican Media via AP)
“I would like us to renew together today our complete commitment to the path that the universal Church has now followed for decades in the wake of the Second Vatican Council,” he said. He also encouraged more listening, dialogue and care for the poor.
As Vatican Media reported, the Pope’s remarks “invoked a vision of a Church firmly rooted in tradition but willing to meet the future with courage,” particularly in its response to technologies that are reshaping human identity.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
