Quick Insights
- Pope Leo XIV, in his first interview since becoming pontiff, expressed concern about artificial intelligence (AI), stating it’s challenging to find God’s presence in it.
- He rejected a proposal to create an AI avatar of himself, emphasizing the importance of human authenticity in spiritual roles.
- The Pope highlighted the risk of AI dehumanizing society, warning that unchecked development could marginalize people.
- He acknowledged AI’s benefits, particularly in medicine, but stressed its rapid pace of growth raises ethical questions.
- Deepfake videos of Pope Leo XIV, including one falsely showing him falling, illustrate the dangers of AI-generated misinformation.
- The Vatican is actively combating the spread of such fake content, reporting hundreds of accounts to platforms like YouTube.
What Are the Key Details of Pope Leo XIV’s Statements on AI?
In a significant interview published on September 18, 2025, in the Spanish-language book Leo XIV: Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century, Pope Leo XIV articulated his apprehensions about artificial intelligence. Conducted on July 10 at Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, this was his first major public statement since his election as pontiff in May 2025. He emphasized that discovering spiritual meaning in AI is a complex task, given its potential to erode human values. The Pope pointed to a specific instance where someone proposed creating an AI version of him to provide answers on a website, which he firmly declined, stating, “If there’s anyone who shouldn’t be represented by an avatar, it’s the pope.” This refusal underscores his belief that spiritual leadership requires genuine human presence, not digital imitation. He also referenced a personal experience with a deepfake video that falsely depicted him falling down stairs, highlighting the technology’s capacity for deception. The Vatican’s communications team has since reported hundreds of such fake accounts, mostly on YouTube, reflecting the scale of the issue. Pope Leo XIV stressed that while the Church supports technological progress, the rapid advancement of AI poses risks to human dignity. He warned that wealthy investors are prioritizing profit over humanity, potentially turning people into “pawns” of a digital world. His comments align with the Church’s broader mission to ensure technology serves humanity ethically.
The Pope’s remarks come at a time when AI’s influence is growing across sectors like healthcare, education, and media. He acknowledged its contributions, such as advancements in medical research, but cautioned that AI could create a “false world” where truth becomes elusive. The deepfake video incident, which gained traction due to its convincing nature, exemplifies this danger. The Vatican has struggled to keep up with the proliferation of such content, with new fake videos emerging as quickly as others are removed. For instance, a viral deepfake falsely showed Pope Leo XIV praising Burkina Faso’s interim president, illustrating how AI can manipulate public perception. The Pope’s statements reflect a broader concern about misinformation, particularly its appeal to those susceptible to conspiracies. He noted that people’s desire to believe in false narratives fuels the spread of such content, which he described as “very destructive.” This interview sets the tone for his papacy, signaling a focus on addressing AI’s ethical implications while maintaining the Church’s commitment to human-centric values. The Vatican’s proactive stance, including its efforts to flag fake content, shows a practical response to these challenges. Overall, Pope Leo XIV’s comments highlight the tension between technological innovation and spiritual integrity.
What Is the Historical Context of the Church’s Engagement with Technology?
The Catholic Church has a long history of engaging with technological advancements, often balancing their benefits with ethical concerns. In the 19th century, Pope Leo XIII, after whom Pope Leo XIV named himself, addressed the Industrial Revolution’s social impacts in his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum. This document critiqued both unchecked capitalism and socialism, advocating for workers’ rights and human dignity amid technological change. It laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching, which Pope Leo XIV now draws upon to address AI. During the 20th century, the Church navigated other technological shifts, such as the rise of mass media, with Popes like Pius XII encouraging its use for evangelization while warning against its potential to spread falsehoods. The Second Vatican Council in the 1960s further modernized the Church’s approach, emphasizing dialogue with the contemporary world, including science and technology. Pope Francis, Leo XIV’s predecessor, was vocal about AI, calling for an international treaty to regulate it ethically during his 2024 address to the G7 summit. This historical precedent shows the Church’s consistent effort to guide technological progress toward human flourishing.
Pope Leo XIV’s focus on AI reflects a continuation of this tradition, adapted to the digital age. His background as a mathematics graduate and the first American pope positions him uniquely to address the tech-driven challenges of the 21st century. The Vatican’s 2020 Rome Call for AI Ethics, signed by leaders from tech giants like IBM and Cisco, marked a formal step toward promoting accountable AI development. Pope Leo XIV builds on this, emphasizing the need for responsibility to ensure AI benefits all of humanity. His concerns echo those of Pope Francis, who warned that AI risks reducing human relations to algorithms if not guided by values like compassion and morality. The Church’s historical engagement with technology has often involved urging governments and industries to prioritize human welfare, a role Leo XIV appears poised to continue. For example, his namesake’s advocacy for workers’ rights parallels his current warnings about AI’s potential to dehumanize labor. The Vatican’s struggle against deepfakes also recalls earlier efforts to combat misinformation in print and broadcast media. By framing AI as a defining challenge, Pope Leo XIV aligns with the Church’s longstanding mission to address the ethical dimensions of progress. His early actions suggest a papacy focused on steering technology toward justice and dignity.
What Are the Different Perspectives on AI’s Role in Society?
The debate over AI’s role in society is polarized, with advocates and critics offering contrasting views. Proponents, including tech leaders like Elon Musk, argue that AI drives innovation, improving healthcare, education, and efficiency. For instance, AI has enabled breakthroughs in medical diagnostics, such as early cancer detection, and streamlined processes in industries like logistics. Supporters believe AI can address global challenges, like climate change, by optimizing resource use. However, they acknowledge risks, with Musk himself warning against creating a “digital God” through reckless AI development. Governments, particularly in the U.S. and China, view AI as a geopolitical necessity, investing heavily to maintain technological dominance. This perspective prioritizes economic and strategic gains, often sidelining ethical concerns. Industry leaders argue that regulation should be minimal to avoid stifling innovation, citing the competitive global landscape. They also point to AI’s potential to democratize knowledge, making information accessible through tools like chatbots. Yet, even supporters recognize the need for safeguards to prevent misuse, such as in autonomous weapons or surveillance.
Critics, including Pope Leo XIV, emphasize AI’s potential to undermine human dignity and truth. The Pope’s concerns align with those of ethicists who warn that AI could exacerbate inequality, particularly if controlled by wealthy elites. For example, AI-driven automation threatens jobs in sectors like translation and manufacturing, as seen in Berlin’s St. Matthias parish, where interpreters fear obsolescence. Critics also highlight the spread of misinformation through deepfakes, which can manipulate public opinion and erode trust. The Vatican’s experience with fake videos of Pope Leo XIV underscores this issue, with one deepfake garnering over 445,000 views in a week. Secular critics, like the National Association of Attorneys General, have raised alarms about AI’s impact on vulnerable groups, citing cases like a teenager’s suicide linked to harmful AI chatbot interactions. Some argue for stringent global regulations, pointing to Europe’s efforts to standardize AI governance. The Church, through initiatives like the Rome Call for AI Ethics, advocates for human-centric AI that prioritizes justice and compassion. These differing views highlight a tension between technological progress and ethical responsibility, with Pope Leo XIV’s stance adding a moral voice to the debate. The challenge lies in balancing innovation with safeguards to protect society’s most vulnerable.
What Are the Ethical and Social Implications of AI’s Growth?
The rapid expansion of AI raises profound ethical and social questions, particularly about its impact on human identity and relationships. Pope Leo XIV’s warning that AI could make people “pawns” reflects fears that technology might reduce individuals to data points, stripping away their spiritual and emotional depth. For instance, AI’s ability to create convincing deepfakes, like the video of the Pope falling, blurs the line between reality and falsehood, undermining trust in institutions. This is especially concerning for children and young people, who may struggle to discern truth in an AI-saturated world. The Pope has expressed worry about AI’s effects on intellectual and neurological development, noting that access to vast data does not equate to true intelligence or moral understanding. Ethically, the Church argues that AI must reflect values like compassion and justice, as emphasized in the 2020 Rome Call for AI Ethics. The potential for AI to be misused for selfish gain or conflict, as the Pope noted, raises concerns about exploitation and division. Socially, AI-driven automation could widen inequality, particularly in communities like Berlin’s St. Matthias parish, where workers fear job loss. The Vatican’s efforts to combat deepfakes highlight the social cost of misinformation, which can fuel division and conspiracies. These issues demand a careful approach to ensure AI serves humanity rather than dominates it.
The ethical stakes are high when AI intersects with sacred roles, as seen in the proposal to create an AI pope. Pope Leo XIV rejected this, arguing that spiritual leadership requires human authenticity, not synthetic imitation. This stance reflects broader concerns about AI encroaching on roles that demand empathy and moral judgment. Socially, the proliferation of AI-generated content risks creating a “false world,” as the Pope described, where truth becomes subjective. The Vatican’s struggle to remove fake videos, with new ones appearing daily, illustrates the challenge of maintaining authenticity in a digital age. Ethicists warn that unchecked AI could deepen social isolation, as algorithms prioritize engagement over meaningful connection. For example, the case of a teenager’s suicide linked to an AI chatbot underscores the technology’s potential to harm vulnerable individuals. The Church’s call for ethical AI aligns with secular efforts to regulate its use, such as Europe’s push for global standards. However, the concentration of AI development in the hands of wealthy corporations raises questions about accountability. Pope Leo XIV’s focus on these issues highlights the need for a moral framework to guide AI’s integration into society, ensuring it uplifts rather than diminishes human dignity.
What Does Pope Leo XIV’s Stance Mean for the Future?
Pope Leo XIV’s early focus on AI suggests he intends to make its ethical governance a cornerstone of his papacy. By identifying AI as a critical challenge, he positions the Church as a global advocate for human-centric technology. His refusal to authorize an AI avatar sets a precedent for prioritizing authenticity in spiritual leadership, potentially influencing other institutions to limit AI’s role in sensitive domains. The Vatican’s ongoing battle against deepfakes indicates a proactive approach, likely to include stronger partnerships with tech platforms to curb misinformation. His emphasis on human dignity could inspire policies that protect workers from AI-driven job losses, particularly in vulnerable communities. The Pope’s call for the Church to “speak out” suggests he may push for international dialogue, building on initiatives like the Rome Call for AI Ethics. His background as a mathematics graduate and American gives him credibility to engage with tech leaders and policymakers. However, influencing global AI regulation will be challenging, given the competing interests of governments and corporations. For instance, the U.S. and China prioritize AI for strategic dominance, often resisting strict regulations. Pope Leo XIV’s moral authority could bridge these divides, fostering a unified approach to ethical AI development.
Looking ahead, the Pope’s stance may encourage other religious and cultural leaders to address AI’s implications. His warnings about dehumanization could resonate in regions like the Global South, where the Vatican’s influence is strong and AI access is uneven. The Church’s network could advocate for equitable AI development, ensuring poorer nations are not left behind. The Pope’s focus on children’s development suggests future initiatives to protect young people from AI’s risks, such as harmful chatbots or misinformation. His dialogue with leaders like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni indicates a willingness to collaborate with governments on ethical AI frameworks. However, the rapid pace of AI development, coupled with the Vatican’s limited resources to combat deepfakes, poses challenges. The Pope’s ability to sway public opinion and policy will depend on his “star power,” as one expert noted, and his capacity to unite diverse stakeholders. If successful, his efforts could shape a future where AI enhances human potential without compromising truth or dignity. Failure to address these issues could lead to a world where technology overshadows human values, as he fears. His papacy’s early focus on AI signals a commitment to steering this technology toward justice and compassion.
Conclusion and Key Lessons
Pope Leo XIV’s statements on AI highlight a critical moment in the intersection of technology and spirituality. His concerns about dehumanization, misinformation, and the erosion of truth underscore the ethical challenges posed by AI’s rapid growth. By rejecting an AI avatar and addressing deepfake issues, he emphasizes the importance of human authenticity in sacred roles. The historical context of the Church’s engagement with technology, from the Industrial Revolution to the digital age, frames his approach as a continuation of a long-standing mission to guide progress ethically. Differing perspectives on AI—from tech optimists to cautious ethicists—reveal a complex debate where the Pope’s moral voice adds weight. The ethical and social implications, including job losses and the spread of falsehoods, demand urgent attention to protect vulnerable groups.
Key lessons include the need for responsible AI governance that prioritizes human dignity and truth. The Church’s proactive stance, seen in its fight against deepfakes and advocacy for ethical frameworks, offers a model for other institutions. Pope Leo XIV’s focus suggests that spiritual leaders can play a vital role in shaping technology’s future. His efforts to foster dialogue with governments and tech leaders could lead to more equitable AI policies. Ultimately, his message is clear: technology must serve humanity, not dominate it, and maintaining this balance requires vigilance and moral clarity.