Pope Leo XIV says with New A.I. Developments in "the world of work" the Human Person is Irreplaceable - to Vatican Employees - FULL TEXT

Pope Leo XIV insisted that “the presence of women” in the Vatican “is a valuable asset that must be increasingly recognized and appreciated” in an address to representatives of the Women in the Vatican Association and of the Association of Vatican Lay Workers (Associazione Dipendenti Laici Vaticani, ADLV).

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
TO THE DELEGATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF VATICAN LAY EMPLOYEES
AND THE ASSOCIATION OF VATICAN WOMEN
Monday, October 5, 2026
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.
Dear brothers and sisters ,

I am pleased to welcome you, and I thank you for your visit and, even more, for the dedication and spirit of service with which you carry out your daily work in various bodies of the Apostolic See, thus collaborating in the Pope's pastoral ministry.

Faced with today's challenges facing the world of work, particularly developments in artificial intelligence, it is more crucial than ever to keep attention focused on the irreplaceable centrality of the human person and the inalienable dignity of work; in fact, "work is not a simple instrument, but expresses and increases the dignity of our lives. It is a requirement inscribed in the human condition, an ordinary path towards maturity, development and personal fulfillment." [1]

Through work "we contribute to the progress of society and to the construction of the common good, we make the most of the skills we have received, we improve and beautify the world, we support our families, we enter into cooperative relationships and we learn to build together, through listening and dialogue, something that no one could achieve alone." [2]

Dear friends, you belong to two different Associations, but you share a common work environment: the Vatican. My predecessors, in their teachings on the nature of work in the Apostolic See, placed at the center two fundamental concepts: community and unity , which are also very dear to me.

In fact, all those who, in various capacities and with different tasks, are called to collaborate with their work in the ministry of the Pope constitute an ecclesial community , participating, in a spirit of faith and unity, in the one and universal mission that the Lord Jesus entrusted to the Apostle Peter and his successors.

With equal dignity , all contribute, each in their own role and with their own work commitment, to the same mission, demonstrating this awareness and responsibility above all "in scrupulous fidelity to all the tasks and duties assigned, as well as in the zeal, industriousness and professionalism which must distinguish anyone who participates in the activities of the same Apostolic See". [3]

Saint John Paul II recognized that – I quote – «to promote this spirit […] associations of workers, such as the Association of Vatican Lay Employees, could carry out a valid collaborative task», specifying that «the slide of this type of organization onto the terrain of conflict or struggle does not correspond to the social doctrine of the Church». [4]

The path of dialogue , therefore, remains the main road, along which I also urge you to always walk, with trust and creativity, in the common search for adequate solutions to the problems we must face together and in the daily building of our working community.

Relaunching dialogue at all levels is in fact what, in my first Encyclical , I wanted to propose to the whole Church and to all women and men of good will, as an "integral part of the Church's vocation" [5] , a "principal instrument for coexistence between people" [6] and an "ordinary way to deal with conflicts". [7] In particular, the Association of Vatican Lay Employees is defined, in the current "Normative Framework" that concerns it, as "a structure for dialogue between its members and the Labour Office of the Apostolic See". [8]

For its part, the Vatican Women's Association can contribute to fostering a style of collaboration, mutual listening, and attentiveness to challenging situations within our communities. The presence of women is a richness that must be increasingly recognized and valued. They bring, in addition to a special sensitivity to people and relationships, the human, professional, and intellectual talents inherent in women's experience and thinking. Their expertise, discernment, creativity, and practicality enhance the life of institutions and contribute to a broader perspective on reality and the problems encountered.

By walking this path together, we will strive to increasingly build a working community where people are not used and ignored, where we help each other, where each person's value and competence are recognised, avoiding generating dissatisfaction and resentment. [9]

With these sentiments of appreciation and trust, I heartily bless you, your loved ones, and your work. Thank you.

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[1] Encyclical Letter Magnifica humanitas (15 May 2026), 149.

[2] Ibid . , 148.

[3] St. John Paul II, Letter on the meaning of the work performed for the Apostolic See (20 November 1982): AAS 75 (1983), p. 121.

[4] Ibid . , p. 123.

[5] Enc. letter Magnifica humanitas , 2.

[6] Ibid . , 219.

[7] Ibid . , 221.

[8] “Regulatory framework for relations between the Labour Office of the Apostolic See (ULSA) and the Association of Vatican Lay Employees (ADLV)”, approved by Order of the Secretary of State (N. 343.814/A, dated 16 April 1994).

[9] Cf. Address to the Roman Curia for Christmas greetings (22 December 2025).

Translated from https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/10/05/0787/01468.html