Pope Leo XIV Warns of AI "damage caused when chatbots and other technologies exploit our need for human relationships" FULL TEXT to Vatican AI Conference

Pope Leo XIV met on May 22nd with participants in the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, entitled “Preserving human faces and voices.”

Promoted by the Dicastery for Communication (our parent organization) and the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the one-day event brought together experts in the fields of AI, education, and theology to explore the Pope’s message for this year’s World Communications Day.
FULL TEXT - ADDRESS OF POPE LEO XIV
TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
“PRESERVING HUMAN VOICES AND FACES”
PROMOTED BY THE DICASTERY FOR COMMUNICATION
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DICASTERY FOR CULTURE AND EDUCATION

Consistory Hall on Friday, 22 May 2026
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.

Good morning to you all and welcome!

I am pleased to welcome you following the International Congress held yesterday to mark the 60th World Communications Day. As scholars and experts well versed in digital communication, your concern for the future of humanity has brought you to Rome in order to reflect upon media and digital literacy. By participating in this initiative, you have each brought your own gifts and talents to contribute to the future direction of humanity in this time marked by the exponential growth of technology, a question particularly significant for the mission of the Church.

It is precisely within the context of the Church’s universal mission that her advocacy of social communications can best be understood. In fact, the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on the Mass Media — which gave rise to World Communications Day — begins by reminding us that the Church “was founded by Christ our Lord to bring salvation to everybody and consequently she is duty bound to preach the gospel” (Inter Mirifica 3). The primary concern of the Church has been, and continues to be, the eternal salvation of every human person. As we read in John’s Gospel: “That they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3).

This desire for everyone “to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4) must therefore inform not only our decisions and actions, but also the use and the direction given to media, digital technology and artificial intelligence in order to ensure that these tools be placed at the authentic service of humanity. As sadly evidenced by the unbridled promotion and implementation of technology at the expense of human dignity and the damage caused when chatbots and other technologies exploit our need for human relationships, we are truly experiencing an eclipse of the sense of what it means to be human (cf. Message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications). It is therefore all the more imperative to recover an understanding of the true meaning and grandeur of humanity as intended by God. It is in this sense that the challenge we currently face is “not technological, but anthropological” (ibid.), and it is my hope that the Encyclical Letter to be published within a few days will contribute to answering this challenge.

In this light, I am confident that it is only through contemplating Christ, the Incarnate Word, that we can recover not only a proper vision of God, but also come to understand the truth of humanity. Since “by his incarnation the Son of God has united Himself in some fashion with every human person” (Gaudium et Spes 22), the human heart will never fully fathom the depths of its own recesses nor understand its worth apart from the heart of Christ. For this reason, the true preservation of the face and voice of every individual must necessarily entail an encounter with him who is “the image of the invisible God,” while at the same time being himself the perfect man (Col 1:15).

Naturally, all of this must be born in mind while discussing the implications of digital technology and the role of the Church in social communications. Such a task is not always easy, but we have been called to bring the light of Christ to the world, illuminating every dimension of human activity (cf Jn 8:12; Mt 5:14-16). How can we fail to do so in our own time, especially with an issue so prevalent in society? As a result, the Church finds herself compelled to contribute to the effort of planning and implementing media, information and AI literacy within education systems. In this way, she can help to ensure that people acquire critical thinking skills and that technologies contribute to the salvation of those who use them (cf. Message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications; Inter Mirifica 3).

All of us, I am sure, are particularly concerned about the possible consequences of the use of digital technology and AI not only on the physical and intellectual development of children and young people, but also on their spiritual wellbeing. In this regard, all people, but especially the young “should learn moderation and discipline in their use” of such technology (Inter Mirifica 10), supported by the guidance of parents and educators. Moreover, in light of the Church’s mission and the current misconceptions concerning God and the human person, digital literacy must also include an education in the truth about God and about humanity. Young people in particular are open to this truth and desirous of discovering life’s meaning. We must therefore help them to encounter the living Christ and teach them to integrate the use of technology within a holistic Christian lifestyle.

Dear brothers and sisters, this is an issue that is particularly close to my heart and close to that of the Church. Indeed, as a Mother, the Church takes interest in the lives of her children, desiring to guide them to full maturity (cf Ef 4:13). It is my hope that these reflections lead to a restored trust in technology as a fruit of the genius of the human person in harmony with God’s creative design. In thanking you for your efforts now and in the future, I cordially invoke upon you and upon your families the divine blessings of wisdom, joy and peace. Thank you.
Source Vatican Bulletin with Vatican Media Image