Pope Leo XIV Cautions Priests About Artificial Intelligence
Pope Leo XIV recently expressed concerns to priests in Rome about the dangers of relying on artificial intelligence (AI) for sermon preparation, emphasizing that AI “can never share faith.”
This warning came during an event where local priests could engage with him about spreading the teachings of Jesus and the Church. Since his elevation to pope after the late Pope Francis, Pope Leo has prioritized establishing a strong and coherent voice for the Church amidst technological changes, reflecting on his responsibilities in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The gathering, which took place on February 19, has seen his comments on AI gain significant attention this week. During the event, the Pope encouraged priests to foster genuine friendships and real interactions with their congregations. He warned that tools like AI and social media platforms, particularly TikTok, could undermine the clergy’s mission, specifically cautioning against the temptation to replace personal sermon preparation with AI.
“Just like any muscle, if you don’t use it, it atrophies,” Pope Leo remarked. “You need to engage your mind and nurture your intellect to avoid losing these abilities.”
The Pope highlighted how the pandemic and the proliferation of smartphones have led to a breakdown in social connections, particularly isolating young people. “They’re living distant lives, missing out on the richness of genuine relationships,” he said, urging priests to tap into various cultural and social avenues to connect with youth.
He suggested, “We have to take initiative. We should invite young people and engage with them in physical spaces. Maybe we need to provide an alternative approach.”
“This isn’t about you. If we’re not conveying the message of Jesus Christ, we might be missing the mark,” he added, suggesting a need for introspection on the Church’s identity and its mission.
He also pointed out that a life grounded in faith can offer something unique, cautioning against the distractions of online validation and popularity. “The illusion of the internet and TikTok can trick you into thinking you’re connecting with others just because you have likes and followers,” he explained.
Pope Leo has made AI a central issue for the Vatican, citing his name choice as a nod to his predecessor, Leo XIII, who guided the Church through the Industrial Revolution.
“I adopted the name Leo XIV for multiple reasons, but mainly due to Pope Leo XIII’s significant encyclical addressing social challenges during the first great industrial revolution,” he noted during a speech in May 2025 after becoming Archbishop of Rome.
“Today, the Church aims to share its social teachings in light of the current industrial revolution and the rise of AI, which introduces new hurdles for preserving human dignity, justice, and labor,” he stated.
Pope Leo has voiced broader concerns over AI, suggesting that its integration into human life will challenge our shared understanding of life’s value. In June 2025, he acknowledged the benefits of AI, especially in medical research and scientific advancement, while also raising important ethical questions about its implications on human distinctiveness.
While addressing a conference on AI and ethics, he noted, “Access to data, regardless of its extent, shouldn’t be mistaken for genuine intelligence. True intelligence also embodies a person’s openness to exploring life’s ultimate questions and seeking truth and goodness.”
Earlier in January, he discussed AI again in the context of human representation in digital content creation, asserting the importance of preserving the “human face and voice” as reflections of divine love. He emphasized that human beings are not just products of biochemical reactions; each person’s unique experiences and interactions define their mission.
“No one sector can face the challenges of AI governance alone,” he argued, advocating for robust collaboration among the tech industry, legislators, artists, educators, and media professionals to cultivate thoughtful digital citizenship.
