Pope Leo XIV calls AI one of humanity’s greatest challenges, urges moral vigilance

In his first major address since assuming the papacy, newly appointed Pope Leo XIV named artificial intelligence (AI) as one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Building on the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, the first American Pope signalled that the Vatican will continue to scrutinise the ethical and social implications of AI technologies.

While the Pope does not directly shape the development of AI, his influence lies in drawing global attention to its moral dimensions. With over a billion Catholics worldwide, his voice carries significant weight in shaping ethical discourse and urging political action.

‘AI presents new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour,’ Pope Leo stated, echoing concerns raised by Pope Francis about the risks of unchecked technological advancement. He also compared the rise of AI to the Industrial Revolution, calling on the Church to guide humanity in ensuring that workers and vulnerable communities are not left behind.

The Vatican has already taken a vocal stance on AI in recent years. Pope Francis called for a global treaty on AI and expressed particular concern over autonomous weapons systems, emphasising the need to keep human decision-making at the centre of technological design.

The Vatican’s consistent engagement on this topic signals that AI is no longer seen purely as a technological issue, it is now a global moral and political concern. As debates on regulation, labour rights, and human oversight continue, the Church’s involvement could at least in some part help shape conversations in policy and ethical arenas that span far beyond the walls of Silicon Valley.