Speculation regarding how Pope Leo XIV will lead the Catholic Church has been rampant. Amid this lack of clarity, one of his priorities has come into focus: artificial intelligence (AI). Since assuming the papacy, Leo has begun making the case that the Church should be prepared to address the broader impacts of this advanced technology. For instance, in a meeting with the College of Cardinals shortly after his election, the pope raised that “the treasury of its social teachings” would be available to those concerned by AI’s growing ubiquity in day-to-day life.1 Through statements like these, Leo has shed light on what he plans for the Church’s future, namely for it to act as a moral arbiter in discussions surrounding this technology’s place in society.
Although Leo is attuned to the modern challenges presented by AI, his perspective on these problems has been shaped by past pontiffs. He has drawn inspiration from his namesake, Leo XIII, who advocated for the interests of workers displaced by technology amid the Industrial Revolution. Additionally, he has followed in the footsteps of his immediate predecessor, Francis, whose championing of responsible technology use was a core component of his late papacy. Leo will cite this tradition at a time when AI discourse among world leaders has centered on its implications for security, rather than its potential for harm. He has the opportunity to change the conversation, all while reasserting the Church’s role as a voice for those swept away by the undertow of disruptive innovation.
Looking Backwards, Moving Forwards
Among keen observers, there were early indicators about what might inform Leo’s social policy. For instance, his choice of name, an homage to Leo XIII, made clear that labor rights would be at the forefront of his agenda. The Conversation drew attention to how Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, a landmark encyclical which decried the wealth inequalities that defined the Industrial Revolution, has become a foundational text for Catholic thinkers dedicated to economic justice.2 The papal letter noted that workers are excluded from the benefits of their labor by their employers, leaving many marginalized and exploited. To remedy this problem, the 19th-century pontiff charged that workers must share in the ownership of their labor. This solution would not only help close economic disparities which divided classes. It would protect the dignity of laborers at a time when their rights were superseded by the interests of industrialists.
The challenges Leo XIII grappled with remain relevant well over a century later. Even so, Leo has the opportunity to adapt his namesake’s teachings for this moment, pulling from them to argue that workers should not be treated as an impediment to progress. America Magazine highlighted how Leo XIII’s commentary on the separation of workers from their labor might serve as a lodestar for Leo as he refines his philosophy.3 The impulse to defend the laborers whose contributions make innovation a reality, while ensuring they can reap the rewards of progress, feels especially pertinent to our era. AI’s capacity to reflect human knowledge is impressive, and has prompted employers across industries to consider replacing workers they deem “expendable.” Leo may outline a different path, reminding developers that their products are not only made possible by the efforts of their employees, but should serve as a tool to help them in their work.
Following Francis’ Footsteps
Leo can also look to the recent past for insight on how the Church should approach AI. His mentor, Francis, made a point of engaging with Silicon Valley throughout his tenure. Vox noted how the pontiff saw this as a necessity, particularly if the institution he represented was to remain relevant.4 This forward-looking strategy, from convening cross-sectoral conferences to organizing student hackathons,5 challenged the long-held notion that the Holy See ignores technological progress.6 Importantly, this course of action enabled the Church to join debates surrounding technology’s use for good, promoting the interests of humanity against the realities of capitalism. When confronted with moral questions, such as what to do when novel innovations entrench the power of economic elites, Pope Francis was well-positioned to offer moral guidance on how to uphold human dignity. Ultimately, his advocacy in this space created a niche by which the Church could amplify its social and moral teachings.
Francis’s perspective on the importance of responsible technology development is best encapsulated in his doctrinal note, Antiqua et Nova.7 Word on Fire unpacked how this document, which specifically touches on the deployment of AI, captured Francis’ optimistic, but tempered, stance on technology.8 From modernizing education to transforming healthcare, the pontiff acknowledged that AI has immense potential to better the lives of people across the globe. However, he also conceded that AI could worsen inequalities, especially if a well-resourced class continued to monopolize its development. With this in mind, Francis posited that discernment would be key when deciding how to interact with AI. Knowing when AI could be appropriately used to help people, and how this technology could be exploited by those unaccountable to the public, should guide us moving forward. This invaluable lesson may also be useful to Leo as he wades into the same debates which preoccupied his predecessor.
The Road Ahead For Rome
In understanding the thinkers who shaped Leo’s worldview, it becomes easier to see how he looks at the subject of AI. Protecting the rights of workers, particularly those whose livelihoods are threatened by this technology, is likely to be central to his approach. He may also emphasize how the public at large has contributed to AI’s growth, contrasting it with the wealth that has been amassed by elites in the space. Critically, the pope will lobby that AI must advance the social good, and he will undoubtedly call on developers to create tools that respect the rights of all people. To accomplish these goals, he must prioritize engagement with those responsible for creating AI models. His recent audience with leading executives, where he called for tighter regulations on AI tools, is a strong indicator that he is ready to put these lessons into practice.9
An advocate comfortable using their influence to press for the ethical and responsible use of AI is needed now more than ever. Within the technology policy space, there has been a gradual shift away from AI safety to AI security, largely driven by geopolitical considerations. Policymakers who raised alarms that AI could disproportionately impact disadvantaged groups are no longer in the spotlight . In their stead, a new crop of officials have stepped in to turn the AI conversation on its head, shifting focus to how this innovation could strengthen national security.10 At this critical juncture, a new voice is needed to elevate these overlooked concerns. Grounded in the past, yet aware of the challenges facing society at this moment, Leo may be the right choice. Although much remains to be seen, his background provides hope among those passionate about the use of AI for the betterment of humanity.
References
- Winfield, Nicole. “Pope Leo XIV Lays out Vision of Papacy and Identifies AI as a Main Challenge for Humanity.” AP News, May 10, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-vision-papacy-artificial-intelligence-36d29e37a11620b594b9b7c0574cc358.
- Schneider, Nathan. “19th-Century Catholic Teachings, 21st-Century Tech: How Concerns about AI Guided Pope Leo’s Choice of Name.” The Conversation, May 21, 2025. https://theconversation.com/19th-century-catholic-teachings-21st-century-tech-how-concerns-about-ai-guided-pope-leos-choice-of-name-256645; Leo XIII. “Rerum Novarum: Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on Capital and Labor.” The Holy See, November 15, 2019. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html.
- Dunch, Matthew. “Pope Leo XIV Can Bring Catholic Social Teaching into the A.I. Age.” America Magazine, May 15, 2025. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/15/pope-leo-rerum-novarum-artificial-intelligence-250689.
- Samuel, Sigal. “The New Pope Has Strong Opinions about AI. Good.” Vox, May 28, 2025. https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/414530/pope-leo-ai-artificial-intelligence-catholicism-religion.
- “VHacks”, 2019. https://www.vhacks.org/
- Duncan, Robert. “Pope Francis Speaks to Silicon Valley CEOs and Moral Theologians about Dangers in Tech Revolution.” America Magazine, September 27, 2019. https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2019/09/27/pope-francis-speaks-silicon-valley-ceos-and-moral-theologians-about; Sherwood, Harriet. “Vatican Hosts First Hackathon to Tackle Global Issues.” The Guardian, March 7, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/07/vatican-hosts-first-hackathon-to-tackle-global-issues.
- Francis. “Antiqua et Nova: Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence.” The Holy See, January 28, 2025. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20250128_antiqua-et-nova_en.html.
- Umbrello, Steven. “Pope Leo XIV and the New Social Question of AI.” Word on Fire, May 20, 2025. https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/pope-leo-xiv-and-the-new-social-question-of-ai/.
- Quiroz-Gutierrez, Marco. “Pope Leo Wades into Business Regulation, Preaching the Idea of an Ethical AI Framework to Tech Executives.” Fortune, June 20, 2025. https://fortune.com/2025/06/20/pope-leo-ai-regulation-holy-see-vatican-tech/.
- Pillay, Tharin, and Harry Booth. “5 Predictions for AI in 2025.” Time, January 16, 2025. https://time.com/7204665/ai-predictions-2025/.
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