VATICAN CITY — November 13, 2025 — Pope Leo XIV has warned that artificial intelligence poses serious ethical risks to children and adolescents, urging governments, educators, and faith leaders to establish comprehensive safeguards and digital education programs to protect young people’s dignity in the modern age.
The pontiff addressed participants of “The Dignity of Children and Adolescents in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” conference, stressing that minors are “especially vulnerable to manipulation through AI algorithms” capable of influencing their emotions, decisions, and behaviors.
Ethical Challenges Of AI In Everyday Life
Pope Leo highlighted that artificial intelligence has already transformed education, entertainment, and communication, but said these advances must be guided by conscience. “Technology should serve humanity, not exploit its weaknesses,” he said. He urged institutions to place human dignity and moral responsibility at the center of AI development.
He noted that AI-driven recommendation systems and social media algorithms can subtly shape children’s worldviews, often without parental awareness. Such mechanisms, he warned, risk replacing genuine relationships and moral guidance with machine-driven influence.
Call For Digital Education And Parental Awareness
“Safeguarding minors cannot be reduced to policies alone,” the Pope stated. “It requires a digital education grounded in responsibility and virtue.” He emphasized that parents and teachers must become active guides in children’s interactions with digital tools.
He encouraged faith communities, schools, and civil organizations to promote programs that teach discernment, empathy, and critical thinking, helping youth recognize manipulation and bias in digital spaces.
Governments Must Strengthen Legal Protections
Pope Leo urged governments and international organizations to update data-protection frameworks and craft ethical AI standards that prioritize children’s welfare. “Public policy must evolve as quickly as technology does,” he said, adding that AI design should always include child-safety impact assessments.
He also called for global cooperation among nations, stating that “the dignity of minors transcends borders and ideologies.” The Vatican will, he confirmed, collaborate with universities and policy institutions to advance these protections.
The Role Of Adults As “Artisans Of Education”
Citing Pope Francis’ earlier appeal, Pope Leo said adults must rediscover their vocation as “artisans of education,” guiding the next generation through moral and digital complexity. “Ethical frameworks are necessary,” he said, “but only living examples make them real.”
He explained that adults must not only supervise technology but model responsible behavior online, reinforcing values such as compassion, integrity, and respect for truth in every interaction.
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Building A Culture Of Responsibility In AI Use
The Pope underscored that the Church views AI as neither enemy nor savior, but as a tool requiring wisdom and humility. He warned that unrestrained digital exposure can distort identity formation, especially when children gain unlimited, unsupervised access to online systems.
“Only through ethical education and self-awareness,” he said, “can technology become an ally rather than a threat.” He called for collaboration between developers, psychologists, theologians, and policymakers to create AI systems that protect rather than exploit youth.
Ensuring AI Serves Humanity, Not Controls It
Concluding his remarks, Pope Leo said safeguarding human originality and connection must remain a moral priority in an increasingly automated world. “Artificial intelligence should amplify human capacity for good, not replace the bonds that define us,” he said.
He imparted his apostolic blessing to all participants, expressing hope that their work would lay a firm foundation for future cooperation between the Church, academia, and governments in building an AI future that upholds the sanctity of human dignity.
