VATICAN CITY (AP)—Pope Leo XIV, in his first address as pontiff, identified artificial intelligence as a critical challenge facing humanity, outlining a vision that continues the priorities of Pope Francis while adding a personal touch.
Pope Leo XIV laid out the vision of his papacy on Saturday, May 3, identifying artificial intelligence as one of the most critical matters facing humanity and vowing to continue with some of the core priorities of Pope Francis. The new pontiff, the first American pope, also signaled his personal approach with an unscheduled outing.
A Personal Touch and Augustinian Roots
In a sign he was making the papacy his own, Leo made his first outing since his election to a sanctuary south of Rome. This sanctuary is dedicated to the Madonna and is of particular significance to his Augustinian order. Townspeople of Genazzano gathered in the square outside the main church housing the Madre del Buon Consiglio (Mother of Good Counsel) sanctuary, waiting for Leo. He arrived in a car, flanked by Vatican security, and before entering the shrine, he shook hands and offered blessings to a few people. The sanctuary, managed by Augustinian friars, has been a pilgrimage site since the 15th century. Leo visited it last year when he was a cardinal.
First Audience and Echoes of Francis
The after-lunch outing followed Leo’s first formal audience Saturday with the cardinals who elected him. In it, Leo repeatedly cited Francis and the Argentine pope’s 2013 mission statement, “The Joy of the Gospel.” He made clear a commitment to making the Catholic Church more inclusive and attentive to the faithful, a church that looks out for the “least and rejected.” Leo, the first American pope, told the cardinals he was fully committed to reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the 1960s meetings that modernized the church.
AI Identified as Main Issue
In his address, Leo identified AI as one of the main issues facing humanity. He stated it poses challenges to defending human dignity, justice, and labor. This highlights the significance he places on the societal implications of rapidly advancing technology.
Choosing the Name Leo and Social Teaching
Leo referred to AI when explaining his name choice. His namesake, Pope Leo XIII (pope 1878-1903), laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought with the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, addressing workers’ rights and capitalism at the industrial age dawn. In his Saturday remarks, Leo said he identified with his predecessor addressing the great social question of that era. He quoted from his speech: “In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor.”
Legacy of Pope Francis on AI
The late Pope Francis issued warnings about AI toward his pontificate’s end. He warned AI risked turning human relations into mere algorithms and called for an international treaty to regulate it. Francis brought his message to G7 nations last year, insisting AI must remain human-centric. Quote: “AI must remain human-centric so that decisions about when to use weapons or even less lethal tools always remain made by humans and not machines.” His 2024 annual peace message also called for a treaty for ethical AI development, arguing, “a technology lacking human values of compassion, mercy, morality, and forgiveness is too perilous to develop unchecked.”
Continuing Priorities and Dialogue
In his Italian speech Saturday (Vatican’s synod hall), Leo repeatedly referenced Francis and mourning, holding up Francis’ 2013 mission statement as marching orders. He cited Francis’ insistence on the missionary nature and need for more collegial leadership, paying attention to the faithful (“especially in its most authentic and inclusive forms, especially popular piety”), expressing “loving care for the least and rejected,” and engaging courageous dialogue with the contemporary world.
A Quick Conclave and Prevost’s Background
The conclave was exceptionally fast. Robert Prevost was elected the 267th pontiff Thursday on the fourth ballot, quick for the largest/most diverse conclave (133 cardinals from 70 countries). Cardinals said Prevost didn’t make a major pre-conclave speech, carried a traditional taboo for a US pope (superpower status), but was known. He made an impression in smaller groups (English was the key language). Francis saw Chicago-born Augustinian missionary Robert Prevost as a possible heir: he moved him to a small Peruvian diocese in 2014 (bishop/head conference) and called him to Rome in 2023 to vet bishop nominations. The Vatican revealed Saturday that Leo retains his motto/coat of arms as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, with the motto “In Illo uno unum.”
Comment from a Contender and Praise
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Vatican secretary of state, contender) offered congratulations Saturday in a letter. Parolin praised Leo’s grasp of problems, recalling his first words from the loggia (need peace “disarmed and disarming”). He appreciated Prevost’s leadership in Chiclayo (handling thorny problems), growing to appreciate his Vatican governance vetting bishops. Parolin specifically praised Leo’s understanding of people/situations, “calmness in argumentation, balance in proposing solutions, respect, care, and love for everyone.” Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana told reporters Saturday on the final ballot, Prevost received “more” than 100 votes, suggesting an extraordinary margin (> two-thirds/89 votes needed).
