Pope Leo XIV Embraces AI, Vows to Continue Pope Francis' Mission

• May 10, 2025

Pope Leo XIV made his first formal appearance as pontiff on May 10, 2025, delivering a speech in which he outlined his vision for the papacy. The new pope, the first American to hold the title, emphasized his commitment to continuing the work of his predecessor, Pope Francis, especially in terms of inclusivity and social justice.

In his speech, Pope Leo spoke about the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI), calling it one of the most critical issues facing humanity today. He highlighted the potential risks AI poses to human dignity, justice, and labor. Leo stressed that the Church must respond to the ethical questions raised by AI, much like Pope Leo XIII had addressed the social challenges of the industrial revolution in the 19th century. He referenced his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, who had dealt with similar issues during his papacy, specifically workers' rights and the growing influence of capitalism.

The new pope's remarks also focused on continuing the core values set by Pope Francis, particularly his commitment to a Church that serves the "least and rejected." Pope Leo pledged to uphold the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, a series of meetings from the 1960s that aimed to modernize the Catholic Church. He emphasized the need for the Church to remain inclusive and attentive to the needs of the faithful, echoing Francis' 2013 mission statement, The Joy of the Gospel.

Leo's choice of papal name was also symbolic. He explained that, like Pope Leo XIII, he sought to address the pressing social issues of his time. He expressed his desire to bring the Church's social teachings into the conversation about AI and its impact on society.

In a touching moment, Pope Leo also referred to the legacy of Pope Francis, mentioning his efforts to make the Church's leadership more collegial and focused on the voices of the faithful. As he met with the College of Cardinals, Leo was clear about his intentions to follow in Francis' footsteps by engaging in dialogue with the modern world and ensuring the Church's leadership remains compassionate and open to change.

Pope Leo XIV's papacy marks a significant new chapter in the Catholic Church, with his focus on both the challenges of technology and his commitment to Francis' vision of a more inclusive and socially responsible Church.