Pope Leo XIV has voiced fresh concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on young minds, warning that it could blur their sense of reality and hinder healthy intellectual growth.
In a written message shared with attendees at the second Rome Conference on AI, the newly elected pontiff—who holds a background in mathematics—addressed the growing influence of AI for the first time since taking office on May 8.
“We all share a deep concern for our children and youth,” he wrote, “particularly when it comes to how AI may affect their neurological and intellectual development.”
He pointed out that while today’s younger generation has unprecedented access to information, this volume of data should not be mistaken for true understanding or intelligence. “Just because data is available doesn’t mean it has been meaningfully processed or understood,” he cautioned.
Pope Leo acknowledged the benefits of AI, especially in areas like healthcare and scientific research, but emphasized the need for vigilance. “We must consider how this technology might alter our human capacity to perceive and make sense of reality,” he said.
The pontiff has himself been caught in the crosshairs of AI misuse. Recent weeks have seen a surge of AI-generated content online, including deepfake videos and audio clips falsely portraying him. An AFP investigation uncovered dozens of such manipulated posts on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where AI-generated commentary was passed off as genuine papal statements.
Adding to the urgency, a new study from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found that younger audiences are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for news and current events—a trend that may further shift how reality is understood and interpreted.
The Catholic Church has been engaging with ethical questions surrounding technology in recent years. Under Pope Francis, the Vatican launched the Rome Call for AI Ethics in 2020, a pledge supported by organizations like Microsoft, IBM, the UN, and several academic institutions. The initiative promotes transparency, fairness, and respect for human dignity in the development of AI systems.
Now, with Pope Leo XIV continuing that legacy, the Church is doubling down on its message: progress must be paired with responsibility—especially when the next generation is at stake.
