In his inaugural address to the College of Cardinals on Saturday, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the significant dangers artificial intelligence (AI) poses to human dignity. He implored the Catholic Church to address these challenges with moral conviction and decisive action.

Speaking from the New Synod Hall, the Pope noted the Church’s history of navigating similar critical junctures.

He drew a parallel between the current rapid advancements in AI technology and the societal disruptions of the 19th-century Industrial Revolution, emphasizing the Church’s renewed duty to protect workers and advocate for justice.

“Echoing Pope Leo XIII’s landmark Encyclical Rerum Novarum, which tackled social issues during the initial Industrial Revolution,” Pope Leo XIV stated, “the Church now offers its rich social teachings to confront this new industrial revolution and the complexities of .”

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, marks a historic moment as the first American to ascend to the papacy.

A former missionary and leader of the Dicastery for Bishops, fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, he was widely considered a consensus-building choice following Pope Francis’s passing. His choice of the name “Leo” signifies a continuation of Pope Leo XIII’s dedication to social justice.

Under Pope Francis, the Vatican significantly broadened its digital presence, revamping its media operations, launching popular social media initiatives, and establishing ethical AI guidelines. The “” serves as a collaborative effort between the Church and tech industry leaders to foster transparency in AI development.

Pope Leo XIV affirmed his commitment to furthering this work. In his address, he characterized AI as a transformative force capable of reshaping labor, society, and our self-perception. He stressed the importance of prioritizing people over profit.

“These are Gospel principles that reveal the Father’s merciful nature through the Son made man,” he asserted. “Let us embrace this invaluable heritage and continue forward, inspired by the hope born of faith.”

He also encouraged Catholics to maintain a foundation of prayer and thoughtful reflection amidst the distractions of the digital age. He quoted Scripture, reminding them that God is often found not in grand displays, but in “the whisper of a gentle breeze” or “the sound of sheer silence.”

The Pope also reflected on the recent passing of Pope Francis, acknowledging the moment as both sorrowful and filled with divine grace. He portrayed the transition to a new papacy as a “paschal event,” a spiritual turning point, and expressed gratitude for his predecessor’s dedicated service.

“I urge us to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the path the universal Church has followed for decades since the Second Vatican Council,” he stated, while also advocating for increased listening, dialogue, and care for the marginalized.

, the Pope’s remarks “presented a vision of a Church deeply rooted in tradition yet prepared to face the future with boldness,” especially in its response to technologies that are redefining human identity.